DANTE AND HIS CIRCLE WITH THE ITALIAN POETS PRECEDING HIM. (i 100 — 1 200 — 1300.) A COLLECTION OF LYRICS, EDITED, AND TRANSLATED IN THE ORIGINAL METRES, BY DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI. l^cijiseU aniJ Ec*arrangeti 3£ìJition. PART L Dante's Vita Nuova, etc. — Poets of Dante's Circle PART II. Poets chiefly before Dante. tT0^\^. BOSTON: LHTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, 1899. JEntfierstta 5res0: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. Eo mg JHotljet / DEDICATE THIS NEW EDITION OP A BOOK PRIZED BY HER LOVE. L'661^7 ADVERTISEMENT TO THE EDITION OF 1874. IN re-entitling and re-arranging this book (originally pub- lished in 1861 as The Early Italian Poets) my object has been to make more evident at a first glance its important relation to Dante. The Vita Nuova, together with the many among Dante's lyrics and those of his contemporaries which elucidate their personal intercourse, are here assembled, and brought to my best ability into clear connection, in a manner not elsewhere attempted even by Italian or German editors. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION (1861). I NEED not dilate here on the characteristics of the first epoch of Italian Poetry, since the extent of my trans- lated selections is sufficient to afford a complete view of it. Its great beauties may often remain unapproached in the. versions here attempted ; but, at the same time, its imperfec- tions are not all to be charged to the translator. Among these I may refer to its limited range of subject and continual obscurity, as well as to its monotony in the use of rhymes or frequent substitution of assonances. But to compensate for much that is incomplete and inexperienced, these poems possess, in their degree, beauties of a kind which can never again exist in art ; and offer, besides, a treasure of grace and variety in the formation of their metres. Nothing but a strong impression, first of their poetic value, and next of the bio- graphical interest of some of them (chiefly of those in my first division), would have inclined me to bestow the time and trouble which have resulted in this collection. Much has been said, and in many respects justly, against the value of metrical translation. But I think it would be admitted that the tributary art might find a not illegitimate use in the case of poems which come down to us in such a form as do these early Italian ones. Struggling originally with corrupt dialect and imperfect expression, and hardly kept alive through centuries of neglect, they have reached that last and worst state in which the coup-de-grace has almost been dealt them by clumsy transcription and pedantic superstructure. At this stage the task of talking much more about them in any language is hardly to be entered upon ; vili Preface. and a translation (involving as it does the necessity of setdir.g many points without discussion) remains perhaps the most direct form of commentary. The life-blood of rhythmical translation is this command- ment, ■ — that a good poem shall not be turned into a bad one. The only true motive for putdng poetry into a fresh language must be to endow a fresh nation, as far as possible, with one more possession of beauty. Poetry not being an exact science, literality of rendering is altogether secondary to this chief law. I say literality, — not fidelity, which is by no means the same thing. When literality can be combined with what is thus the primary condition of success, the trans- lator is fortunate, and must strive his utmost to unite them ; when such object can only be attained by paraphrase, that is his only path. Any merit possessed by these translations is derived from an effort to follow this principle ; and, in some degree, from the fact that such painstaking in arrangement and descriptive heading as is often indispensable to old and especially to " occasional " poetry, has here been bestowed on these poets for the first time. That there are many defects in this collection, or that the above merit is its defect, or that it has no merits but only defects, are discoveries so sure to be made if necessary (or perhaps here and there in any case), that I may safely leave them in other hands. The series has probably a wider scope than some readers might look for, and includes now and then (though I believe in rare instances) matter which may not meet with universal approval ; and whose introduction, needed as it is by the literary aim of my work, is I know inconsistent with the principles of pretty bookmaking. My wish has been to give a full and truthful view of early Italian poetry ; not to make it appear to consist only of certain elements to the exclusion of others equally belonging to it. Of the difficulties I have had to encounter, — the causes of imperfections for which I have no other excuse, — it is the reader's best privilege to remain ignorant; but I may perhaps be pardoned for briefly referring to such among these as concern the exigencies of translation. The task of the translator (and with all humility be it spoken) is one of some self-denial. Often would he avail himself of any special Preface. ix grace of his own idiom and epoch, if only his will belonged to him : often would some cadence serve him but for his author's structure — some structure but for his author's cadence : often the beautiful turn of a stanza must be weak- ened to adopt some rhyme which will tally, and he sees the poet revelling in abundance of language where himself is scantily supplied. Now he would slight the matter for the music, and now the music for the matter; but no, — he must deal to each alike. Sometimes too a flaw in the work galls him, and he would fain remove it, doing for the poet that which his age denied him ; but no, — it is not in the bond. His path is like that of Aladdin through the enchanted vaults : many are the precious fruits and flowers which he nmst pass by unheeded in search for the lamp alone ; happy if at last, when brought to light, it does not prove that his old lamp has been exchanged for a new one, — ghttering indeed to the eye, but scarcely of the same virtue nor with the same genius at its summons. In relinquishing this work (which, small as it is, is the only contribution I expect to make to our English knowledge of old Italy), I feel, as it were, divided from my youth. The first associations I have are connected with my father's de- voted studies, which, from his own point of view, have done so much towards the general investigation of Dante's writ- ings. Thus, in those early days, all around me partook of the influence of the great Florentine ; till, from viewing it as a natural element, I also, growing older, was drawn within the circle. I trust that from this the reader may place more confidence in a work not carelessly undertaken, though pro- duced in the spare-time of other pursuits more closely fol- lowed. He should perhaps be told that it has occupied the leisure moments of not a few years ; thus affording, often at long intervals, every opportunity for consideration and revision ; and that on the score of care, at least, he has no need to mistrust it. Nevertheless, I know there is no great stir to be made by launching afresh, on high- seas busy with new traffic, the ships which have been long outstripped and the ensigns which are grown strange. It may be well to conclude this short preface with a list of the works which have chiefly contributed to the materials of the present volume. An array of modern editions hardly looks so imposing as might a reference to Allacci, Crescim- X Preface. beni, etc. ; but these older collections would be found less accessible, and all they contain has been reprinted. I. Poeti del primo secolo della Lingua Italiana. 2 vol. (Firenze. 1816.) II. Raccolta di Rime antiche Toscane. 4 voi. (Palermo. 1817.) III. Manuale della Letteratura del primo Secolo, del Prof. V. Nannucci. 3 voi. (Firenze. 1843.) IV. Poesie Italiane inedite di Dugento Autori : raccolte da Francesco Trucchi. 4 voi. (Prato. 1846.) V. Opere Minori di Dante. Edizione di P. I. Fraticelli. (Firenze. 1843, etc.) VI. Rime di Guido Cavalcanti ; raccolte da A. Cicciaporci. (Firenze. 1813.) VII. Vita e Poesie di Messer Cino da Pistoia. Edizione di S. Ciampi. (Pisa. 1813.) VIII. Documenti d'Amore; di Francesco da Barberino. Annotati da F. Ubaldini. (Roma. 1640.) IX. Del Reggimento e dei Costumi delle Donne ; di Fran- cesco da Barberino. (Roma. 181 5.) X. Il Dittamondo di Fazio degli Uberti. (Milano. 1826.) CONTENTS. PART I.- DANTE AND HIS CIRCLE. PAGE J Introduction to Part i i Dante Alighieri. The New Life. {La Vita Nuova,) 25 Sonnet (to Brunetto Latini). Sent with the Vita Nuova 79 Sonnet. Of Beatrice de' Portinari, on All Saints' Day . . 79 Sonnet. To certain Ladies; when Beatrice was latnenting her Father'' s Death 80 Sonnet. To the same Ladies ; with their Answer .... 80 Ballata. He will gaze upon Beatrice 81 Canzone. A Complaint of his Lady's Scorn 81 Canzone. He beseeches Death for the Life of Beatrice . . 8^ Sonnet. On the gth of June, 1290 85 Sonnet (to Cino da Pistoia). He rebukes Cino for Fickle- ness 85 Sonnet (Cino to Dante). He answers Dante, confessing his unsteadfast Heart 86 Sonnet (to Cino da Pistoia). Written in Exile ... 86 Sonnet (Cino to Dante). He answers the foregoing Son- net (by Dante), and prays him, in the name of Beatrice, to continue his great Poem 87 Sonnet. Of Beauty and Duty 87 Sestina. Of the Lady Pietra degli Scrovigni 88 Sonnet. A Curse for a fruitless Lffue 89 Guido Cavalcanti. Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He interprets Dante's Dream, related in the first Sonnet of the Vita Nuova . . go Sonnet. To his Lady Joan, of Florence 91 Sonnet. He compares all Things with his Lady, and finds them wanting 9' Sonnet. A Rapture coiicerning his Lady 92 xii Contents. PAGE Ballata. Of his Lady aviong other Ladies 92 Sonnet (to Guido Orlandi). Of a consecrated Image resembling his Lady 93 Madrigal (Guido Orlandi to Cavalcanti). In anszver to the foregoing Son7iet [by Cavalcanti) 93 Sonnet. Of the Eyes of a certain Mandetta, of ThouloKse, which rese?nble those of his Lady yoan, of Florence ... 94 Ballata. He 7'eveals, in a Dialogue, his increasing Love for Mandetta 94 Sonnet (Dante Alighieri to Guido Cavalcanti). He imagines a pleasant voyage for Guido, Lapo Gianni, and himself with their three Ladies 96 Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He anstvers the foregoing Sonnet [by Dante), speaking with shame of his changed Love 97 Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He reports, in a feigned Vision, the successful issue of Lapo Gianni'' s Love ... 97 Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He mistrusts the Love of Lapo Gianni 98 Sonnet. On the Detection of a false Friend 98 Sonnet. He speaks of a third Love of his 99 Ballata. Of a continual Death in Love 99 Sonnet. To a Frieiid who does not pity his Love .... 100 Ballata. He perceives that his highest Love is gone from him 100 Sonnet. Of his Pain from a neiv Lave loi Prolonged Sonnet (Guido Orlandi to Guido Caval- canti). He finds fault with the Conceits of the foi-egoing Sonnet [by Cavalcanti) 102 Sonnet (Gianni Alfani to Guido Cavalcanti). Oji the part of a Lady of Fisa 102 Sonnet (Bernardo da Bologna to Guido Cavalcanti). He writes to Guido, telling him of the Love which a cer- tain Pinella showed on seeing him 103 Sonnet (to Bernardo da Bologna). Guido answers, commending Pinella, and saying that the Love he can offer her is already shared by many noble Ladies 103 Sonnet (Dino Compagni to Guido Cavalcanti). He reproves Guido for his Arrogance in Lave . ... . . . 104 Sonnet (to Guido Orlandi). /;/ Praise of Guido Or- landPs Lady IG4 Sonnet (Guido Orlandi to Guido Cavalcanti). He answers the foregoing Sojinet {by Cavalcatiti), declaring himself his Lady's Champion 105 Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He rebukes Dante for his way of Life, after the Death of Beatrice 105 Ballata. Concerning a Shepherd-maid 106 Sonnet. Of an illfavored Lady 107 Sonnet (to Pope Boniface VIII. ). After the Pope's In- terdict, when the Great Houses were leaving Florence . . 107 Ballata. In Exile at Sarzana 108 Canzone. A Song of Fortune 109 Canzone. A Song against Poverty i ii Contents. xiii PAGE Canzone. He laments the Preswnptioit and liicontinetice of his Youth 113 Canzone. A Dispute with Death 115 CiNO DA Pistoia. Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He interprets Dante's Drea?n related in the first Sonnet of the Vita Nuova . . 118 Canzone (to Dante Alighieri). On the Death of Beatrice Portinari 119 Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He conceives of some Com- pensation in Death I2l Madrigal. To his Lady Selvaggia Vergiolesi ; likening his Love to a Search for Gold 121 Sonnet. To Love, in great Bitterness 122 Sonnet. Death is not without but within him 122 Sonnet. A Trance of Love 123 Sonnet. Of the Grave of Selvaggia, on the Monte della Sambuca 123 Canzone. His Lament for Selvaggia 1 24 Sonnet (to Guido Cavalcanti). He owes nothing to Guido as a Poet 125 Sonnet. He impugns the verdicts of Dante^s Commedia . . 125 Sonnet. He condenuis Dante for not naming, in the Comme- dia, his friend Onesto di Bonciìna, and his L.ady Selvafgia 1 2Ó Dante da Maiano. Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He interprets Dante Alighieri' s Dream, related in the first Sonnet of the Vita Nuova 127 Sonnet. He craves interpreting of a Dream of his . . . . 128 Sonnet (Guido Orlandi to Dante da Maiaxo). He interprets the Dream related in the foregoing Sonnet •'ly Dante da Maiano) 1 28 Sonnet. To his Lady Nijm, of Sicily 129 Sonnet. He thanks his Lady for the Joy he has hadfro?n her 1 29 Cecco Angiolieri, da Siena. Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). On the last Sonjiet of the Vita Nuova 130 Sonnet. He zvill not be too deeply in Love 131 Sonnet. Of Love in Men and Devils 131 Sonnet. Of Love, in honor of his Mistress Becchina . . . 132 •' Sonnet. Of Becchina, the Shoemaker s Daughter .... 132 Sonnet. To Messer Angiolieri, his Father 133 Sonnet. Of the 20th June, i2c,i 133 Sonnet. Ln absence from Becchina 134 Sonnet. Of Becchina in a Rage 134 Sonnet. He rails against Dante, who had censttred his homage to Becchina 1 35 Sonnet. Of his four Tormentors 135 Sonnet. Cone emiitg his Father 136 Sonnet. Of all he would do 136 Sonnet. LLc is past all Help 137 xiv Contents. VKGB Sonnet. Of why he is unhanged 137 Sonnet. Of why he would be a Scullion 138 Prolonged Sonnet. When his Clothes were gone . . . 138 Sonnet. He aigues his case with Death 139 Sonnet. Of Becchina, and of her Husband 139 Sonnet. To Becchino' s rich Husband 140 Sonnet. On the Death of his Father 140 Sonnet. He would slay all who hate their Fathers . . . 141 Sonnet (TO Dante Alighieri). He lurites to Dante, then in exile at Verona, defying him as no better than himself . 141 Guido Orlandi. Sonnet. Against the "'White'''' GhibelUnes 142 Lapo Gianni. Madrigal. What Lffve shall provide for him 143 Ballata. A Message in charge for his Lady Lagia ... 144 Ding Frescobaldi. Sonnet. Of what his Lady is 146 Sonnet. Of the Star of his Love 146 Giotto di Bondone. Canzone. Of the Doctrine of Voluntary Poverty .... 147 Simone dall' Antella. Prolonged Sonnet. Ln the last Days of the Emperor Henry VII. 149 Giovanni Quirino. Sonnet (to Dante Alighieri). He commends the work of Dante^s life, theJt dratvitig to its close ; and deplores his own deficiencies 150 Sonnet (Dante Alighieri to Giovanni Quirino). He ansnvers the foregoing Sonnet {by Quirino) : saying what he feels at the approach of Death 151 APPENDIX TO PART I. I. Forese Donati. Sonnet (Dante to Forese). He taunts Forese, by the nickname of Bieci 1 54 Sonnet (Forese to Dante). He taunts Dante ironi- cally for not avetiging Geri AUsrhieri 155 Sonnet (Dante to Forese). He tatmts him concerning his Wife • ^55 Sonnet (Forese to Dante). He taunts him concerning the unavenged Spirit of Ceri Alighieri 156 II. Cecco d' Ascoli iS9 Contents. PAGE III. Giovanni Boccaccio. Sonnet. To one who had censured his public Exposition of Dante l6o Sonnet. Inscription for a Portrait of Dante . . . . i6o Sonnet. To Dante in Paradise, after Fiamitietta''s death i6i Sonnet. Of Fiammetta singins[ i6i Sonnet. Of his last sight of Fia7nmetta 162 Sonnet. Of three Girls and of their Talk 162 PART II. POETS CHIEFLY BEFORE DANTE. TABLE OF POETS IN PART II 163 ./CiULLo d' Alcamo. Dialogue. Lover and Lady 172 FOLCACHIERO DE' FoLCACHIERI. Canzone. He speaks of his Condition through Love . . . 180 Lodovico della Vernaccia. Sonnet, //e exhorts the State to vigilance 182 Saint Francis of Assisi. Cantica. Our Lord Christ: of Order 183 v/^Frederick IL Emperor. Canzone. Of his Lady iti Bondage 184 Enzo, King of Sardinia. Sonnet. On the fitness of Seasons 186 Guido Guinicelli. Sonnet. Concerning Lticy 187 >/Canzone. Of the gentle Heart 187 Sonnet. He will praise his Lady 189 Canzone. He perceives his Rashness in Love, but has no choice 189 Sonnet. Of Moderation and Tolerance 190 Sonnet. Of Human Presiutiption 191 GuERZO di Montecanti. Sonnet. He is 07it of heart ivith his Time 192 Inghilfredi, Siciliano. Canzone. He rebukes the Evil of that Time 193 Rinaldo d' Aquino. / Canzone. He is resolved to be joyful in Love 195 / Canzone. A Lady, in Spring, repents of her Coldness . . 197 Jacopo da Lentino. Sonnet. Of his Lady in Heaven 198 Canzonetta. Of his Lady, and of her Portrait .... 199 xvi e lit e ì its. PAGE Sonnet. N'o Jnvel is worth his Lady 201 Canzonetta He ^vill neither boast tior latnetit to his Lady . 201 CANZONETrA, 0/ his Lady, and of his making her Likeness 203 Sonnet. Of his Lady's Face 204 Canzone. At the end of his Hope 205 Mazzeo di Ricco, da Messina. Canzone. He solicits his Lady's Pity 207 Canzone. After Six Years' Service he renounces his Lady . 208 Sonnet. Of Self-seeing 209 Pannuccio dal Bagno, Pisano. Canzone. Of his Change through Lave 211 .y^ Giacomino Pugliesi. Canzonetta. Of his Lady in Absence 213 Canzonetta. To his Lady, in Spring 214 Canzone. Of kis dead Lady 215 Fra Guittone d' Arezzo. Sonnet. To the Blessed VÌ7gin Mary 217 Bartolomeo di Sant' Angelo. Sonnet. He Jests concerning his Poverty 218 Saladino da Pavia. Dialogue. Lover arid Lady 219 Bon aggiunta Urbiciani, da Lucca. Canzone. Of the true end of Love ; with a Prayer to his Lady 221 Canzonetta. How he dreams of his Ljidy 222 Sonnet. Of Wisdom and Foresight 224 Sonnet. Of Contittence in Speech 224 Meg Abbracciavacca, da Pistoia. Canzone. He will be silent and watchful in his Love . . . 225 Ballata. His Life is by Contraries 227 Ubaldo di Marco. Sonnet. Of a Lady' s Love for hivi 228 Simbuono Giudice. Canzone. He fijids that Love has beguiled him, but will trust in his Lady 229 Masolino da Todi. Sonnet. Of Work and Wealth 231 Onesto di Boncima, Bolognese. Sonnet. Of the Last Jjcdgment 232 Sonnet. He ivishes that he could meet his Lady alone . . . 233 Terino da Castel Fiorentino. Sonnet. To Onesto di Bonci?na, in Answer to the foregoing 234 Maestro Migliore, da Fiorenza. Sonnet. He declares all Love to be Grief 235 Dello da Signa. Ballata. His Creed of Ldeal Love 236 Coìitents. xvii PAGE Folgore da San Geminiano. Sonnet. To the Gnelf Faction 237 Sonnet. To the Same 238 Sonnet. Of Virtue 238 Twelve Sonnets. Of the Months 239 Seven Sonnets. Of the Week 245 Guido delle Colonne. Canzone. To Love and to his Lady 249 Pier Moronelli, di Fiorenza. Canzonetta. A bitter Song to his Lady 251 CiUNCio Fiorentino Canzone. Of his Love ; with the Figures of a Stag, of Water, and of an Eagle 253 Ruggieri di Amici, Siciliano. Canzonetta. For a Renewal of Favors 255 Carnino Ghiberti, da Fiorenza. Canzone. Being absent from his Lady, he fears Death . . 257 Prinzivalle Doria. Canzone. Of his Love, with the Figure of a sudden Storm . 259 Rustico di Filippo. Sonnet. Of the making of Master Messerin 261 Sonnet. Of the Safety of Messer Fazio 261 Sonnet. Of Messer Ugolino 262 PUCCIARELLO DI FIORENZA. Sonnet. Of Expediency 263 Albertuccio della Viola. Canzone. Of his Lady dancing 264 Tommaso Buzzuola, da Faenza. Sonnet. Lie is in awe of his Lady 265 NOFFO BONAGUIDA. Sonnet. He is e^ijoined to pure Love 266 Lippo Paschi de' Bardi. Sonnet. He solicits a Lady's Favors 267 Ser Pace, Notaio da Fiorenza. Sonnet. A Return to Love 268 Niccolò degli Albizzi. Prolonged Sonnet. When the Troops were retiirfting from Milan 269 Francesco da Barberino. Blank Verse. A Virgin declares her Beauties .... 270 Sentenze. Of Sloth agaiiist Sin 271 Sentenze. Of Sins in Speech 272 Sentenze. Of Importunities and Troublesofne Persons . . 273 Sentenze. Of Caution 275 Fazio degli Uberti. Canzone. His Portrait of his Lady, Angiola of Verona . . 276 Extract from the "Dittamondo." Of Ettgland, and of its Marvels 278 xviii Contents. PAGE Extract from the "Dittamondo." Of the Dukes of Normandy, and thence of the Kincrs of England, from William I. to Edward III. . . ' 281 Franco Sacchetti. Ballata. His Talk with certain Peasant-girls 284 Catch. On a Fine Day 285 Catch. On a Wet Day 286 Anonymous Poems. Sonnet. A Lady laments for her lost Lover, by similitude of a Falcon 288 Ballata. One speaks of the Beginning of his Love . . . 288 Ballata. One speaks of his false Lady 289 Ballata. One speaks of his Feigned and Real Love . . . 289 Ballata. Of True and False Singing 290 PART I. DANTE AND HIS CIRCLE. I. DANTE ALIGHIERI. II. GUIDO CAVALCANTI. IIL CINO DA PISTOIA. IV. DANTE DA MAIANO. V. CECCO ANGIOLIERI. VL GUIDO ORLANDI. VII. BERNARDO DA BOLOGNA. VIIL GIANNI ALFANI. IX. DINO COMPAGNI. X. LAPO GIANNI. XL DINO FRESCOBALDI. XIL GIOTTO DI BONDONE. XIII. SIMONE DALL' ANTELLA. XIV. GIOVANNI QUIRINO. DANTE AND HIS CIRCLE. INTRODUCTION TO PART I. IN the first division of this volume are included all the poems I could find which seemed to have value as being personal to the circle of Dante's friends, and as illustrating their intercourse with each other. Those who know the Italian collections from which I have drawn these pieces (many of them most obscure) will perceive how much which is in fact elucidation is here attempted to be embodied in themselves, as to their rendering, arrangement, and head- ing : since the Italian editors have never yet paid any of them, except of course those by Dante, any such attention ; but have printed and reprinted them in a jumbled and dishearten- ing form, by which they can serve little purpose except as testi di lingua — dead stock by whose help the makers of dictionaries may smother the language with decayed words. Appealing now I believe for the first time in print, though in a new idiom, from their once living writers to such living readers as they may find, they require some preliminary notice. The Vita Nuova (the Autobiography or Autopsychology of Dante's youth till about his twenty-seventh year) is already well known to many in the original, or by means of essays and of English versions partial or entire. It is, therefore, and on all accounts, unnecessary to say much more of the work here than it says for itself. Wedded to its exquisite and intimate beauties are personal peculiarities which excite wonder and conjecture, best replied to in the words which Beatrice her- self is made to utter in the Commedia : " Questi f^^ tal nella Dante and His Circle. sua vita nuova." ^ Thus then young Dante was. All that seemed possible to be done here for the work was to trans- late it in as free and clear a form as was consistent with fidelity to its meaning ; to ease it, as far as possible, from notes and encumbrances ; and to accompany it for the first time with those poems from Dante's own lyrical series which have reference to its events, as well as with such native com- mentary (so to speak) as might be afforded by the writings of those with whom its author was at that time in familiar intercourse. Not chiefly to Dante, then, of whom so much is known to all or may readily be found written, but to the various other members of his circle, these few pages should be devoted. It may be noted here, however, how necessary a knowl- edge of the Vita Nuova is to the full comprehension of the part borne by Beatrice in the Commedia. Moreover, it is only from the perusal of its earliest and then undivulged self-communings that we can divine the whole bitterness of wrong to such a soul as Dante's, its poignant sense of aban- donment, or its deep and jealous refuge in memory. Above all, it is here that we find the first manifestations of that wisdom of obedience, that natural breath of duty, which afterwards, in the Com7?iedia, lifted up a mighty voice for warning and testimony. Throughout the Vita Nuova there is a strain like the first falling m'lrmuT which reaches the ear in some remote meadow, and prepares us to look upon the sea. Boccaccio, in his Life of Dante, tells us that the great poet, in later life, was ashamed of this work of his youth. Such a statement hardly seems reconcilable with the allusions to it made or implied in the Commedia ; but it is true that the Vita Nuova is a book which only youth could have pro- duced, and which must chiefly remain sacred to the young ; to each of whom the figure of Beatrice, less lifelike than love- like, will seem the friend of his own heart. Nor is this, per- haps, its least praise. To tax its author with effeminacy on account of the extreme sensitiveness evinced by this narra- tive of his love, would be manifestly unjust, when we find that, though love alone is the theme of the Vita Nuova, war already ranked among its author's experiences at the period to which it relates. In the year 1289, the one preceding the 1 Purgatorio, C. jcxx. Introduction to Part I. death of Beatrice, Dante served with the foremost cavalry in the great battle of Campaldino, on the eleventh of June, when the Florentines defeated the people of Arezzo. In the autumn of the next year, 1290, when for him, by the death of Beatrice, the city as he says "sat solitary," such refuge as he might find from his grief was sought in action and danger : for we learn from the Commedia (Hell, C. xxi.) that he served in the war then waged by Florence upon Pisa, and was present at the surrender of Caprona. He says, using the reminiscence to give life to a description, in his great way : — " l 've seen the troops out of Caprona go On terms, affrighted thus, when on the spot They found themselves with foemen compass'd so." ( C AY LE Y 's Tratistation . ) A word should be said here of the title of Dante's auto- biography. The adjective Nuovo, nuova, or Novello, Jiovella^ literally New, is often used by Dante and other early writers in the sense oi young. This has induced some editors of the Vita Nuova to explain the title as meaning Early Life. I should be glad on some accounts to adopt this supposition, as everything is a gain which increases clearness to the mod- ern reader ; but on consideration I think the more mystical interpretation of the words, as Ne7v Life (in reference to that revulsion of his being which Dante so minutely describes as having occurred simultaneously with his first sight of Beatrice), appears the primary one, and therefore the most necessary to be given in a translation. The probability may be that both were meant, but this 1 cannot convey.^ 1 I must hazard here (to reheve the first page of my translation from a long note) a suggestion as to the meaning of the most puzzling passage in the whole Vita Nziova, — that sentence just at the outset which says, "La gloriosa donna della mia mente, la quale fìi chiamata da molti Beatrice, i quali non sapeano che si chiamare." On this passage all the commentators seem help- less, turning it about and sometimes adopting alterations not to be found in any ancient manuscript of the work. The words mean literally, " The glorious lady of my mind who was called Beatrice by many wlio knew not how she was called." This presents the obvious difficulty that the lady's name really was Beatrice, and that Dante throughout uses that name himself. In the text of my version I have adopted, as a rendering, the one of the various compromises which seemed to give the most beauty to the meaning. But it occurs to me that a less irrational escape out of the difficulty than any I have seen suggested may possibly be found by linking this passage with tlie close of the sonnet at page 56 of the Vita Nitova, beginning, " I felt a spirit of Love begin to stir," in the last line of which sonnet Love is made to assert that the name of Bea- Dante and His Circle. Among the poets of Dante's circle, the first in order, the first in power, and the one whom Dante has styled his "first friend," is Guido Cavalcanti, born about 1250, and thus Dante's senior by some fifteen years. It is therefore probable that there is some inaccuracy about the statement, often repeated, that he was Dante's fellow-pupil under Bru- netto Latini ; though it seems certain that they both studied, probably Guido before Dante, with the same teacher. The Cavalcanti family was among the most ancient in Florence ; and its importance may be judged by the fact that in 1280, on the occasion of one of the various missions sent from Rome with the view of pacifying the Florentine factions, the name of " Guido the son of Messer Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti " appears as one of the sureties offered by the city for the quarter of San Piero Scheraggio. His father must have been notoriously a sceptic in matters of religion, since we find him placed by Dante in the sixth circle of Hell, in one of the fiery tombs of the unbelievers. That Guido shared this heresy was the popular belief, as is pjain from an anecdote in Boccaccio which I shall give ; and some corroboration of such reports, at any rate as applied to Guido's youth, seems capable of being gathered from an extremely obscure poem, which I have translated on that account (at page 113) as clearly as I found possible. It must be admitted, however, that there is to the full as much devotional as sceptical tendency implied here and there in his writings ; while the presence of either is very rare. We may also set against such a charge the fact that Dino Com- pagni refers, as will be seen, to his having undertaken a trice is Love. Dante appears to have dwelt on this fancy with some pleasure, from what is said in an earlier sonnet (page 31) about "Love in his proper form •' (by which Beatrice seems to be meant) bending over a dead lady. And it is in connection with the sonnet where the name of Beatrice is said to be Love, that Dante, as if to show us that the Love he speaks of is only his own emo- tion, enters into an argument as to Love being merely an accident in substance, — in other words, "Amore e il cor gentil son una cosa." This conjecture may be pronounced extravagant; but the Vita Nuova ^ when examined, proves so full of intricate and' fantastic analogies, even in the mere arrangement of its parts (much more than appears on any but the closest scrutiny), that it seems admissible to suggest even a whimsical solution of a difficulty which remains unconquered. Or to have recourse to the much more welcome means of solu- tion afforded by simple inherent beauty : may not the meaning be merely that any person looking on so noble and lovely a creation, without knowledge of her name, must have spontaneously called her Beatrice, — i. "^-~-^ Then, musing on what I had seen, I proposed to relate the same to many poets who were famous in that day : and for that I had myself in some sort the art of discoursing with rhyme, I resolved on making a sonnet, in the which, having saluted all such as are subject unto Love, and entreated them to expound my vision, I should write unto them those 1 " T am tliv master.' 2 •• Behold thy heart. 28 Da7ite Alighieri. things which I had seen in my sleep. And the sonnet I made was this : — To every heart which the sweet pain doth move, And unto which these words may now be brought For true interpretation and kind thought, Be greeting in our Lord's name, which is Love. Of those long hours wherein the stars, above. Wake and keep watch, the third was almost nought, When Love was shown me with such terrors fraught As may not carelessly be spoken of. He seemed hke one who is full of joy, and had My heart within his hand, and on his arm My lady, with a mantle round her, slept ; Whom (having wakened her) anon he made To eat that heart ; she ate, as fearing harm. Then he went out ; and as he went, he wept. This sonnet is divided into two parts. In the first part I give greeting., and ask an answer ; in the second, I signify what thi?ig has to be answered to. The second part com- mences here : " Of those long hoursP To this sonnet I received many answers, conveying many different opinions ; of the which one was sent by him whom I now call the first among my friends, and it began thus, " Unto my thinking thou beheld'st all worth." ^ And in- deed, it was when he learned that I was he who had sent those rhymes to him, that our friendship commenced. But the true meaning of that vision was not then perceived by any one, thougli it be now evident to the least skilful. From that night forth, the natural functions of my body began to be vexed and impeded, for I was given up wholly to thinking of this most gracious creature : whereby in short space I became so weak and so reduced that it was irksome to many of my friends to look upon me ; while others, being moved by spite, went about to discover what it was my wish should be concealed. Wherefore I (perceiving the drift of their unkindly questions), by Love's will, who directed me according to the counsels of reason, told them how it was Love himself who had thus dealt with me : and I said so, because the thing was so plainly to be discerned in my countenance that there was no longer any means of conceal- 1 The friend of whom Dante here speaks was Guido Cavalcanti. For his answer, and those of Cino da Pistoia and Dante da Maiano, see their poems further on. lie New Life. 29 ing it. But when they went on to ask, " And by whose help hath Love done this?" I looked in their faces smihng, and spake no word in return. / Now it fell on a day, that this most gracious creature was sitting where words were to be heard of the Queen of Glory ; ^ and I was in a place whence mine eyes could behold their beatitude : and betwixt her and me, in a direct line, there sat another lady of a pleasant favor ; who looked , round at me many times, marvelling at my continued gaze which seemed to have her for its object. And many per- ceived that she thus looked ; so that departing thence, I heard it whispered after me, " Look you to what a pass such a lady hath brought him ;" and in saying this they named her who had been midway between the most gentle Beatrice and mine eyes. Therefore I was reassured, and knew that for that day my secret had not become manifest. Then immediately it came into my mind that I might make use of this lady as a screen to the truth : and so well did I play my part that the most of those who had hitherto watched and wondered at me, now imagined they had found me out. By her means I kept my secret concealed till some years were gone over ; and for my better security, I even made divers rhymes in her honor ; whereof I shall here write only as much as concerneth tlia most gentle Beatrice, which is but a very little. Moreover, about the same time while this lady, was a screen for so much love on my part, I took the resolution to set down the name of this most gracious crea- ture accompanied with many other women's names, and especially with hers whom I spake of. And to this end I put together the names of sixty the most beautiful ladies in that city where God had placed mine own lady ; and these names I introduced in an epistle in the form of a sirvent, which it is not my intention to transcribe here. Neither should I have said anything of this matter, did I not wish to take note of a certain strange thing, to wit : that having written the list, I found my lady's name would not stand otherwise than ninth in order among the names of these ladies. Now it so chanced with her by whose means I had thus long time concealed my desire, that it behoved her to leave the city I speak of, and to journey afar : wherefore I, 1 That is, in a church. 30 Dante Alighie.i. being sorely perplexed at the loss of so excellent a defence, had more trouble than even I could before have supposed. And thinking that if I spoke not somewhat mournfully of her departure, my former counterfeiting would be the more quickly perceived, I determined that I would make a grievous sonnet ^ thereof ; the which I will write here, be- cause it hath certain words in it whereof my lady was the immediate cause, as will be plain to him that understands. And the sonnet was this : — All ye that pass along Love's trodden way, Pause ye awhile and say If there be any grief like unto mine : I pray you that you hearken a short space Patiently, if my case Be not a piteous marvel and a sign. Love (never, certes, for my worthless part, But of his own great heart) Vouchsafed to me a life so calm and sweet That oft I heard folk question as I went What such great gladness meant : — They spoke of it behind me in the street. But now that fearless bearing is all gone Which with Love's hoarded wealth was given me ; Till I am grown to be So poor that I have dread to think thereon. And thus it is that I, being like as one Who is ashamed and hides his poverty, Without seem full of glee, And let my heart within travail and moan. . This poem has two principal parts ; for, in the first, I mean to call the Faithful of Love in those words of Jeremias the Prophet, " O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus," and to pray them to stay and hear me. In the second I tell zvhere Love had placed me, with a meaning other than that which the last part of the poefft shows, and I say what I have lost. The seco7id part begins here, " Love {?iever, certes "). 1 It will be observed that this poem is not what we now call a sonnet. Its structure, however, is analogous to that of the sonnet, being two sextetts followed by two quatrains, instead of two quatrains followed by two triplets. Dante applies the term sonnet to both these forms of composition, and to no other. The Nezv Life. 31 A certain while after the departure of that lady, it pleased the Master of the Angels to call into His glory a damsel, young and of a gentle presence, who had been very lovely in the city I speak of : and I saw her body lying without its soul among many ladies, who held a pitiful weeping. Where- upon, remembering that I had seen her in the company of excellent Beatrice, I could not hinder myself from a few tears ; and weeping, I conceived to say somewhat of her death, in guerdon of having seen her somewhile with my lady ; which thing I spake of in the latter end of the verses that I writ in this matter, as he will discern who understands. And I wrote two sonnets, which are these : — Weep, Lovers, sith Love's very self doth weep, And sith the cause for weeping is so great ; When now so many dames, of such estate In worth, show with their eyes a grief so deep : For Death the churl has laid his leaden sleep Upon a damsel who was fair of late. Defacing all our earth should celebrate, — Yea all save virtue, which the soul doth keep. Now hearken how much Love did honor her. I myself saw him in his proper form Bending^ above the motionless sweet dead, And often gazing into Heaven ; for there The soul now sits which when her life was warm Dwelt with the joyful beauty that is fled. This first sonnet is divided info three parts. In the first, I call and beseech the Faithful of Love to weep ; and I say that their Lord weeps, a?td that they, hearing the reason why he weeps, shall be more minded to listen to me. In the second, I relate this reason. In the third, I speak of honor done by Love to this Lady. The second part begins here, " When now so many dames ; " the third here, *' Now hearken^ II. Death, alway cruel, Pity's foe in chief, Mother who broucjht forth orrief. Merciless judgment and without appeal Since thou alone hast made my heart to feel This sadness and unweal, My tongue upbraideth thee without relief. 32 Dante AligJiier And now (for I must rid thy name of ruth) Behooves me speak the truth Touching thy cruelty and wickedness : Not that they be not known ; but ne'ertheless I would give hate more stress With them that feed on love in very sooth. Out of this world thou hast driven courtesy, And virtue, dearly prized in womanhood ; And out of youth's gay mood The lovely lightness is quite gone through thee. Whom now I mourn, no man shall learn from me Save by the measure of these praises given. Whoso deserves not Heaven May never hope to have her company. ^ This poem is divided into four parts. In the first I ad- dress Death by certain proper 7ia7nes of hers. In the second, speaki?ig to her, I tell the reason why I am moved to de7ioiince her. In the third, I rail against her. In the fourth, I turn to speak to a person undefined, although defined in my ow?i concept io Ji. The second part commeJices here, '' Since *liou alofie ; " the third here, " And now {for I inust); " the fourth here, " Whoso deserves not.'' Some days after the death of this lady, I had occasion to leave the city I speak of, and to go thitherwards where she abode who had formerly been my protection ; albeit the end of my journey reached not altogether so far. And notwith- standing that I was visibly in the company of many, the jour- ney was so irksome that I had scarcely sighing enough to ease my heart's heaviness ; seeing that as I went, I left my beatitude behind me. Wherefore it came to pass that he who ruled me by virtue of my most gentle lady was made visible to my mind, in the light habit of a traveller, coarsely fashioned. He appeared to me troubled, and looked always on the ground ; saving only that sometimes his eyes were 1 The commentators assert that the last two lines here do not allude to the dead lady, but to Beatrice. This would make the poem very clumsy in con- struction ; yet there must be some covert allusion to Beatrice, as Dante him- self intimates. The only form in which I can trace it consists in the implied assertion that such person as had enjoyed the dead lady's society was worthy of heaven, and that person was Beatrice. Or indeed the allusion to Beatrice might iae in the first poem, where he says that Love " in forma vera " (that is, Beatrice) mourned over the corpse : as he afterwards says of Beatrice, '• Quella ha iioine Ai/ior.^' Most probably òoth allusions are intended. The New Life. 33 turned towards a river which was clear and rapid, and which flowed along the path I was taking. And then I thought that Love called me and said to me these words : " I come from that lady who was so long thy surety ; for the matter of whose return, I know that it may not be. Wherefore I have taken that heart which I made thee leave with her, and do bear it unto ' another lady, who, as she was, shall be thy surety" (and when he named her I knew her well). "And of these words I have spoken if thou shouldst speak any again, let it be in such sort as that none shall perceive there- by that thy love was feigned for her, which thou must now feign for another." And when he had spoken thus, all my imagining was gone suddenly, for it seemed to me that Love became a part of myself : so that, changed as it were in mine aspect, I rode on full of thought the whole of that day, and with heavy sighing. And the day being over, I wrote this sonnet : — A DAY agone, as I rode sullenly Upon a certain path that liked me not, I met Love midway while the air was hot, Clothed lightly as a wayfarer might be. And for the cheer he showed, he seemed to me As one who hath lost lordship he had got ; Advancing tow'rds me full of sorrowful thought, Bowing his forehead so that none should see. Then as I went, he called me by my name, Saying : " I journey since the morn was dim Thence where I made thy heart to be : which now I needs must bear unto another dame." Wherewith so much passed into me of him That he was gone, and I discerned not how. This sonnet has three parts. In the first part, I tell how I met Love, and of his aspect. In the second, I tell what he said to 7ne, although not in full, through the fear I had of discovering 7ny secret. In the third, I say how he disappeared. The second part commences het-e, " The7i as I went ;^^ the third he7'e, " Wherewith so much.'''' On my return, I set myself to seek out that lady whom my master had named to me while I journeyed sighing. And because I would be brief, I will now narrate that in a short while I made her my surety, in such sort that the matter was spoken of by many in terms scarcely courteous ; 3 34 Dante AligJiieri. through the which I had oftenwhiles many troublesome hours. And by this it happened (to wit : by this false and evil rumor which seemed to misfame me of vice) that she who was the destroyer of all evil and the queen of all good, coming where I was, denied me her most sweet salutation, in the which alone was my blessedness. And here it is fitting for me to depart a little from this present matter, that it may be rightly understood of what w surpassing virtue her salutation was to me. To the which end I say that when she appeared in any place, it seemed to me, by the hope of her excellent salutation, that there was no man mine enemy any longer ; and such warmth of charity came upon me that most certainly in that moment I would have pardoned whosoever had done me an injury ; and if one should then have questioned me concerning any matter, I could only have said unto him " Love," with a countenance clothed in humbleness. And what time she made ready to salute me, the spirit of Love^ destroying all other percep- tions, thrust forth the feeble spirits of my eyes, saying, " Do homage unto your mistress," and putting itself in their place to obey : so that he who would, might then have beheld Love, beholding the lids of my eyes shake. And when this most gentle lady gave her salutation. Love, so far from being a medium beclouding mine intolerable beatitude, then bred in me such an overpowering sweetness that my body, being all subjected thereto, remained many times helpless and passive. Whereby it is made manifest that in her salutation alone was there any beatitude for me, which then very often went beyond my endurance. And now, resuming my discourse, I will go on to relate that when, for the first time, this beatitude was denied me, I became possessed with such grief that, parting myself from others, I went into a lonely place to bathe the ground with most bitter tears : and when, by this heat of weeping, I was somewhat relieved, I betook myself to my chamber, where I could lament unheard. And there, having prayed to the Lady of all Mercies, and having said also, "O Love, aid thou thy servant ; " I went suddenly asleep like a beaten sobbing child. And in my sleep, towards die middle of it, I seemed to see in the room, seated at my side, a youth in very white raiment, who kept his eyes fixed on me in deep thought. And when he had gazed some time, I thought TJie New Life. 35 that he sighed and called to me in these words : " Fili mi, tempus est ut prcetermittantur si?mdata nostra^ i" And thereupon I seemed to know him ; for the voice was the same wherewith he had spoken at other times in my sleep. Then looking at him, I perceived that he was weeping pite- ously, and that he seemed to be waiting for me to speak. Wherefore, taking heart, I began thus : '' Why weepest thou, Master of all honor? " And he made answer to me : *' Ego tajiquam centrum circuii, cui simili modo se habent circum- ferentice partes : tu autem non sic."" ^ And thinking upon his words, they seemed to me obscure ; so that again com- pelling myself unto speech, I asked of him : " What thing is this, Master, that thou hast spoken thus darkly?" To the which he made answer in the vulgar tongue : " Demand no more than may be useful to thee." Whereupon I began to discourse with him concerning her salutation which she had denied me ; and when I had questioned him of the cause, he said these words : " Our Beatrice hath heard from cer- tain persons, that the lady whom I named to thee while thou journeyedst full of sighs is sorely disquieted by thy solicita- tions : and therefore this most gracious creature, who is the enemy of all disquiet, being fearful of such disquiet, refused to salute thee. For the which reason (albeit, in very sooth, thy secret must needs have become known to her by familiar observation) it is my will that thou compose certain things in rhyme, in the which thou shalt set forth how strong a mastership I have obtained over thee, through her ; and how thou wast hers even from thy childhood. Also do thou call upon him that knoweth these things to bear witness to them, bidding him to speak with her thereof; the which I, who am he, will do willingly. And thus she shall be made to know thy desire ; knowing which, she shall know likewise that they 1 " My son, it is time for us to lay aside our counterfeiting." 2 " I am as the centre of a circle, to the which all parts of the circumference bear an equal relation : but with thee it is not thus." This phrase seems to have" remained as obscure to commentators as Dante found it at the moment. No on*", as far as I know, has even fairly tried to find a meaning for it. To me the following appears a not unlikely one. Love is weeping on Dante's account, and not on his own. He says, " I am the centre of a circle {Amor che iiiKove il sole e V altre stelle.) : therefore all lovable objects, whether in heaven or earth, or any part of the circle's circumference, are equally near to me. Not so thou, who wilt one day lose Beatrice when she goes to heaven." The phrase would thus contain an intimation of the death of Beatrice, ac- counting for Dante being next told not to inquire the meaning of the speech, — " Demand no more than may be useful to thee." 36 Dajite Alighieri. were deceived who spake of thee to her. And so write these things, that they shall seem rather to be spoken by a third person, and not directly by thee to her, which is scarce fitting. After the which, send them, not without me, where she may chance to hear them ; but have them fitted with a pleasant music, into the which I will pass whensoever it needeth." With this speech he was away, and my sleep was broken up. Whereupon, remembering me, I knew that I had beheld this vision during the ninth hour of the day ; and I resolved that I would make a ditty, before I left my chamber, according to the words my master had spoken. And this is the ditty that I made : — Song, 't is my will that thou do seek out Love, And go with him where my dear lady is ; That so my cause, the which thy harmonies Do plead, his better speech may clearly prove. Thou goest, my Song, in such a courteous kind, That even companionless Thou mayst rely on thyself anywhere. And yet, an thou wouldst get thee a safe mind, First unto Love address Thy steps ; whose aid, mayhap, 't were ill to spare, Seeing that she to whom thou mak'st thy prayer Is, as I think, ill-minded unto me. And that if Love do not companion thee, Thou 'it have perchance small cheer to tell me of. With a sweet accent, when thou com'st to her, Begin thou in these words. First having craved a gracious audience : " He who hath sent me as his messenger, Lady, thus much records. An thou but suffer him, in his defence. Love, who comes wnth me, by thine influence Can EP allP t]-^]^ pi^n '^^ '"= '^ lU-nth hirnT Wherefore, if this fault is or doth but see7?t Do thou conceive : for his heart cannot move." Say to her also : " y ,i -^rlyi his poor hear t That all its thoughts are but of serving thee : 'T was early thine, and could not swerve apsrt:" Then, if she wavereth, TJie New Life. 37 Bid her ask Love, who knows if these things be. And in the end, beg of her modestly To pardon so much boldness : saying too : — " If thou declare his death to be thy due, The thing shall come to pass, as doth behove." Then pray thou of the Master of all ruth. Before thou leave her there. That he befriend my cause and plead it well. " In guerdon of my" sweet rhymes and my truth," Entreat him, ^' stav withJ ier ; Let not the hope of thy ^oor servant fail ; Andli i-wiUiJie r thy pleadin ^g ^ should prevail s Let her look on him and give peace to him ." Gentle.my Song, it good to thee it seem. Do this : so worship shall be thine and love. I'his ditty is divided into three parts. In the first, I tell it whither to go, and I encourage it, that it may go the 77iore con- fidently, and I tell it whose company to join if it would go with confidence and without any danger. In the second, I say that which it behoves the ditty to set forth. In the third, I give it leave to start wheti it pleases, reco??imending its course to the arms of Fortune. The second part begins here, " With a sweet accent;"" the third here, ^''Gentle my So?tg.'^ Some might contradict me., and say that they understand not who7n I address i?i the second person, seeing that the ditty is merely the very ivords I am speaking. A?id therefore I say that this doubt I intend to solve and clear up iji this little book itself at a 7nore difficult passage, and then let him understand who now doubts, or would now contradict as aforesaid. After this vision I have recorded, and having written those words which Love had dictated to me, I began to be harassed \\\\\\ many and divers thoughts, by each of which I was sorely tempted ; and in especial, there were four among them that left me no rest. The first was this : " Certainly the lordship of Love is good ; seémg'that it diverts the mincj from all méafì tilings." Tlie second was this : '^ Certainly the lords hip of Love is evil ; seeing that the more homage his servants pay to him, the more" grievous and painful are the torments where- with he torments ITiem." The third was this: "The name dr Love "is so svvèéFTn the hearing that it_would not seem possible for its effects to be other than sweet ; seeing that the name must needs be like unto the thing named : as it is 38 Dante AligJiieri. written : Nomina siml consegiientia fenim.'' ^ And the fourth was this : '' The lady whom Love hath chosen out to govern th£e„is not as other ladies, whose hearts are easily moved." And by each one of these thouglits I was so sorely assailed that I was like unto him who doubteth which path to take, and wishing to go, goeth not. And if I bethought myself to seek out some point at the which all these paths might be found to meet, I discerned but one way, and that irked me ; to wit, to call upon Pity, and to commend myself unto her. And it was then that, feeling a desire to write somewhat thereof in rhyme, I wrote this sonnet : — A l l m.v thou o:hts always speak to jne, pf-Lov^» ~^'*'TethavèT)etween themselves such difference That while one bids me bow with mind and sense, A second saith, " Go to : look thou above ; " The third one, hoping, yields me joy enough ; And with the last come tears, I scarce know whence: All of them craving pity in sore suspense, Trembling with fears that the heart knoweth of. And thus, being all unsure which path to take, Wishing to speak I know not what to say, And lose myself in amorous wanderings : Until (my peace' with all of them to make), Unto mine enemy I needs must pray, My Lady Pity, for the help she brings. T/iis somiet may he divided into four parts. In the Jirst^ I_say and pro_pou7id that all njy thoughts are concerjiing Love, In the second, I say thai they are divej'se^ a7id I relate their diversity. In the third, I say wherein they all seefn to agree. In the fourth, I say that, Tmsjufigtq sjeak of I^ not from whi ch o f thes e thoughts to take my argument ; and that if I ivoiild take ft froiii all, I shall have to call upon 7nine enemy, 7?iy Lady Pity. " Lady " I say, as in a scor7ful 7710 de of speech. The seco7id begi7is here, *' Yet have hetwee7i the77iselves ; " the third, ^' All of the7n cravÌ7ig ; " the fourth, ''And thus:' After this battling with many thoughts, it chanced on a day that my most gracious lady was with a gathering of ladies in a certain place ; to the which I was conducted by a friend of mine, he thinking to do me a great pleasure by showing me the beauty of so many women. Then Ij hardly knowing 1 " Names are the consequents of things," TJie Nezv Life. 39 whereunto he conducted me, but trusting in him (who yet was leachng his friend to the last verge of hfe), made ques- tion : "To what end are we come among these ladies?" and he answered : " To the end that they may be worthily served." And they were assembled around a gentlewoman' who was given in marriage on that day ; the custom of the city being that these should bear her company when she sat down for the first time at table in the house of her husband. There- fore I, as was my friend's pleasure, resolved to stay with him and do honor to those ladies. But as soon as I had thus resolved, I began to feel a faint- ness and a throbbing at my left side, which soon took pos- sessioii of my whole body. Whereupon I remember that I covertly leaned my back unto a painting that ran round the walls of that house ; and being fearful lest my trembling should be discerned of them, I lifted mine eyes to look on those ladies, and then first perceived among them the excel- lent Beatrice. _And when I perceived her, all my senses were overpowered by the great lordship that Love obtained, finding himself so near unto that most gracious being, until nothing but the spirits of sight remained to me ; and even these remained driven out of their own instruments because Love entered in that honored place of theirs, that so he might the better behold her. And although I was other than at first, I grieved for the spirits so expelled, which kept up a *^ c , sore lament, saying : " If he had not in this wise thrust us M"*^ JJJJjj forth, vve also should behold the marvel of this lady." By ^^^t^^^y» this, many ofTier^ friends, having discerned my confusion, ^r^ began to wonder ; and together with herself, kept whispering of me and mocking me. Whereupon my friend, who knew not what to conceive, took me by the hands, and drawing me forth from among them, required to know what ailed me. Then, having first held me at quiet for a space until my per- ceptions were come back to me, I made answer to my friend : " Of a surety I have now set my feet on that point of life, beyond the which he must not pass who would return." ^ 1 It is difficult not to connect Dante's agony at this wedding-feast, with our knowledge that in her twenty-first year Beatrice was wedded to Simone de' Bardi. That she herself was the bride on this occasion might seem out of the question, from the fact of its not being in any way so stated : but on the other hand, Dante's silence throughout the Vita Nitova as regards her marriage (which must have brought deep sorrow even to his ideal love) is so startling, that we might almost be led to conceive in this passage the only intimation of it which he thought fit to give. 40 Dante Alighieri. Afterwards, leaving him, I went back to the room where I had wept before ; and again weeping and ashamed, said : " If this lady but knew of my condition, I do not think that she would thus mock at me ; nay, I am sure that she must needs feel some pity." And in my weeping I bethought me to write certain words, in the which, speaking to her, I should signify the occasion of my disfigurement, telling her also how I knew that she had no knowledge thereof: which, if it were known, I was certain must move others to pity. And then, because I hoped that peradventure it might come into her hearing, I wrote this sonnet : — ■ \ Even as the others mock, thou meekest me ; Not dreaming, noble lady, whence it is That I am taken with strange semblances. Seeing thy. ^ii^^ ^^^^^^ 'ch is so fair to see : For else, compassion would not sutler thee *" ~ ~ - - - To grieve my heart with such harsh scoffs as these. Lo ! Love, when thou art present, sits at ease, And bears his mastership so mightily That all my troubled senses he thrusts out, Sorely tormenting some, and slaying some, Till none but he is left and has free range To gaze on thee. This makes my face to change Into another's ; while I stand all dumb. And hear my senses clamor in their rout. This so7inet I divide not into parts, becmise a division is only 7nade to open the 7neaning of the thing divided : and this, as it is sufficie7itly ijianifest through the 7'easons given, has no need of division. True it is that, amid the tvords whereby is shown the occasion of this sonnet, dubious words are to be fowid ; iianiely, whe?i I say that Love fills all my spirits-, but that the visual re77iain Ì7i life, only outside of their own Ì7istru77ients . And this difficulty it is impossible for a7iy to solve who is 7iot in equal guise liege tmto Love ; a7id, to those who a7'e so., that is 77ia7iifest which would clear up the dubious words. A7id the7'efo7'e it 7vere 7iot well for 77te to expoimd this difficulty, Ì7iasmuch as my speakÌ7ig would be either fruitless or else supe7'fiuous. A while after this strange disfigurement, I became pos- sessed with a strong conception which left me but very seldom, and then to return quickly. And it was this : " See- ing that thou comest into such scorn by the companionship The New Life. 41 of this lady, wherefore seekest thou to behold her ? If she should ask thee this thing, what answer couldst thou make unto her? yea, even though thou wert master of all thy faculties, and in no way hindered from answering." Unto the which, another very humble thought said in reply : " If / / I were master of all my faculties, and in no way hindered // from answering, I would te lj her that aa ^soonerjdo XJiTiag.eV^ to myself her jiiarvellous jbgauty thanlF^i jjo ^ssed ^vvjt h the "3g5ÌTg'"tobehol3' nìéivthe which j;^ pf qn grTat strènptji that It kil ls ana crestroys in my mpmnry ^H tho*^^ thinnrg which n^TgTTf oppose it ; and it is therefore that the great Snguishl have endured thereby is yet not enough to restrain me from seeking to behold her." And then, because of these thoughts, I resolved to write somewhat, wherein, having pleaded mine excuse, I should tell her of A/ what I felt in her presence. Whereupon I wrote thist . sonnet : — The thoughts are broken in my memor^ . Thou lovely Joy, whene'er I see thvi^g ; When thon art near mp, T hvp fJU^ npTTp gp^rP, Often repeating, " If death irk thee, fly." My face shows my heart's color, verily. Which, fainting, seeks for any leaning-place Till, in the drunken terror of disgrace, The very stones seem to be shrieking, " Die ! " It were a grievous sin, if one should not Strive then to comfort my bewildered mind (Though merely with a simple pitying) For the great anguish which thy scorn has wrought In the dead sight o' the eyes grown nearly blind, Which look for death as for a blessed thing. This so?met is divided ijito two parts. Li the first^ I tell the cause ivhy I abstain not fro7n comi?ig to this lady. T?i the second, I tell what befalls me through coming to her ; a7id this part begins here, " When thou art near." Aiid also this secoftd part divides into five distÌ7ict statemejits. Tor J in the first, I say what Love, coiuiselled by Reaso?i, tells me when I am near the Lady. Ln the second, T set forth the state of my hea?'t by the exa?nple of the face. Tn the third, T say how all g?'ound of trust fails ine. L?i the fourth, L say that he sins ivho shows not pity of me, which luould give me S07ne coinfort. Ln the last, L say 7vhy people 42 Dmite AligJneri. should take pity ; namely, for the piteous look which comes into mine eyes ; which piteous look is destroyed, that is, ap- peareth fiot unto others, through the jeering of this lady, who draws to the like action those who peradventure would see this piteousness. The second part begins here, " My face shows ;^' the third, '•^ Till, in the drunken terror;^' the fou7'th, ^^ It were a grievous sin; " the fifth, " For the great anguish y Thereafter, this sonnet bred in me desire to write down in verse four other things touching my condition, the which things it seemed to me that I had not yet made manifest. ^*^ll^ fj^'*^^ among f|ipc;p was the ^'ief that possessed me ver y often, rememhenn.o- the st.ranp-pr,p<;^ wjiirh J. nvp wrnnght in me •}'\\\e. serond wns^ ho^y T.nvp many fini ps nss^ilpH me SO :s:nH(-1pn1v n|-|r| vvi' th SUch S trPpgHi that T had y\(^ nthpr IiTp remaining except a thouo-ht which spak <" of my lorly • ^g ■ ^jJiird was, how , \\i\\ew TiPV^ ^H hnttìp with me in this_ \viv;p, T wnnjd rise up all rolo rlf'^'^i if «^n T mi ght see rny bdy^ conceivin p ; that the ^ j ght of^ her would def end me against the assault of L ^ye, nnd a1tngpt; her forg^etting that which her p resence hrnnaht nntn xx\é *f-^ry(\ the fnnrtk was^ hnw^ when T <;aw her/ the sight not only defende(^ mp not, hnt t ook awav the lit fje life tHai- rpm^mpd j-n J3l£- And I said these four things in a sonnet, which is this : — At whiles (yea oftentimes) I muse over The quality of anguish that is mine Through Love : then pity makes my voice to pine, Saying, " Is any else thus, anywhere ? " Love smiteth me, whose strength is ill to bear ; —_ Except one thought : and that, because 't is thine, Leaves not the body but abideth there. And then if I, whom other aid forsook, Would aid myself, and innocent of art Would fain have sight of thee as a last hope, No sooner do I lift mine eyes to look Than the blood seems as shaken from my heart, And all my pulses beat at once and stop. é^ This sofinet is divided into four parts, four things being therein narrated ; and as these are set forth above, I only proceed to distinguish the parts by their begi?mings. Where- The New Life, 43 fore I say that the second part begins^ " Love smiteth me ;^^ the thirds ^^ A?id theit if L ;'' the fourth^ ^^ No sooner do I lift:' -If... After I had written these last three sonnets, wherein I '-^spake unto my lady, telHng her almost the whole of my con- dition, it seemed to me that I should be silent, having said enough concerning myself. But albeit I spake not to her again, yet it behoved me afterward to write of another matter, more noble than the foregoing. And for that the occasion of what I then wrote may be found pleasant in the hearing, I will relate it as briefly as I may. Through the sore change in mine aspect, the secret of my heart was now understood of many. Which thing being thus, there came a day when certain ladies to whom it was well known (they having been with me at divers times in my trouble) were met together for the pleasure of gentle company. And as I was going that way by chance (but I think rather by the will of fortune), I heard one of them call unto me, and she that called was a lady of very sweet speech. And when I had come close up with them, and per- ceived that they had not among them mine excellent lady, [ was reassured ; and saluted them, asking of their pleasure. The ladies were many ; divers of whom were laughing one to another, while divers gazed at me as though I should speak anon. But when I still spake not, one of them, who before had been talking with another, addressed me by my name, saying, " lo what end lo vest thou this lady, seeing that thou canst not support her presence ? Now tell us this thing, that we may know it : for certainly the end of such a love must be worthy of knowledge." And when she had spoken these words, not she only, but all they that were with he/, began to observe me, waiting for my reply. Whereupon I said thus unto them : " Ladies^jhe^^end-jaod aim of mj; Love was but the salutation of that lady^of wliom T'Conceive that ye are speaking; whereiJQ- alone I found that beatitude which is the goal of desire. And now that it hath pleased her to deny me this, Love, my Master, of his great goodness, hath placed all my beatitude there where my hope will not fail me." Then those ladies began to talk closely together ; and as I have seen snow fall among the rain, so was their talk mingled with sighs. But after a little, that lady who had been the first to dddress me, addressed me 44 Dante Alighieri. again in these words : " We pray thee that thou wilt tell us whejein.abideth this tjiy beatitude." And answering, I said but thus much : " In those words that do praise my lady." To the which she rejoined : " If tliy speech were true, those ■ words that thou didst write concerning thy condition would have been written with another intent." Then I, being almost put to shame because of her answer, went out from among them ; and as I walked, I said within myself: "Seeing that there is so much beatitude in those words which do praise my lady, wherefore hath my speech of her been different? " And then I resolved that thencefor- Ji^ward I would choo se for thejLhe me of m y writings only the praise oTthislnost gracious being. But when I had thought exceedingly, it seemed to me that I had taken to myself a theme which was much too lofty, so that I dared not begin ; and I remained during several days in the desire of speak- ing, and the fear of beginning. After which it happened, as TT^y^'Ty^ passed one day along a path which lay beside a stream of r Mr'- very clear w^ater, that there came upon me a great desire to say somewhat in rhyme : but when I began thinking how I should say it, methought that to speak of her were unseemly, unless I spoke to other ladies in the second person ; which is to say, not to any other ladies, but only to such as are so \ called because they are gentle, let alone for mere woman- hood.. Whereupon I declare thàf iiiy'tongue spake as though by its own impulse, and said, " Ladies that have intelhgence in love." These words I laid up in my mind with great gladness, conceiving to take them as my commencement. Wherefore, having returned to the city I spake of, and con- sidered thereof during certain days, I began a poem with this beginning, constructed in the mode which will be seen below in its division. The poem begins here : — Ladies that have intelligence in love, Of mine own lady I would speak with you ; Not that I hope to count her praises through, But telling what I may, to ease my mind. And I declare that when I speak thereof, Love sheds such perfect sweetness over me That if my courage failed not, certainly To him my listeners must be all resign'd. Wherefore I will not speak in such large kind That mine own speech should foil me, which were base ; TJie New Life. 45 But only will discourse of her high grace In these poor words, the best that I can find, With you alone, dear dames and damozels : 'Twere ill to speak thereof with any else. An Angel, of his blessed knowledge, saith To God : " Lord, in the world that Thou hast made, A miracle in action is displav'd|. By reason of a soul whose splendors fare Even hither : and since Heaven requireth Nought saving her, for her it prayeth Thee, Thy Saints crying aloud continually." Yet Pity still defends our earthly share In that sweet soul ; God answering thus the prayer. " My well-beloved, suffer that in peace Your hope remain, while so My pleasure is. There where one dwells who dreads the loss of her : And who in Hell unto the doomed shall say, ' I have looked on that for which God's chosen pray.' " My lady is desired in the high Heaven : Wherefore, it now behoveth me to tell. Saying : Let any maid that would be well Esteemed keep with her : for as she goes by^ ^ntO foul hea rts a ripalhly r1ii11 m c\r\Mevi Py Tr^^^Pf ^^^^^ makp^ ill t]-fonor]it tr) ppp^h t^f^'fì - While anv who endures to craze on her Mii'^t piflipr hp pnnnhl ed^ nr els e fli>- When one deserving to be raised so high Is found, 't is then her power attains its proof, Making his heart strong for his soul's behoof With the full strength of meek humility. Also this virtue owns she, by God's will : Who speaks with her can never come to ill. Love saith concerning her : " How chanceth it That flesh, which is of clust, should be thus pure ? " Then, gazing always, he makes oath : " Forsure . This, is a. creature of God til] '-[r^w unknown-" She hath that paleness of the pearl that 's fit Ina fair woman, so much and not more ; She is as high as Nature's skill can soar ; ^ Beauty is tried by her comparison- Whatever her sweet eyes are turned upon. Spirits of love do issue thence in flame, Which through their eyes who then may look on them Pierce to the heart's deep chamber every one. And in her smile Love's image you may see ; Whence none can gaze upon her steadfastly. 4.6 Dante Alighieri. Dear Song, I know thou wilt hold gentle speech With many ladies, when I send thee forth : Wherefore (being mindful that thou hadst thy birth From Love, and art a modest, simple child) Whomso thou meetest, say thou this to each : " Give me good speed ! To her I wend along In whose much strength my weakness is made strong." And if, i' the end, thou wouldst not be beguiled .Of all thy labor, seek not the defiled Anri common sort ; but rath_er_c hoose to be Where man and woman dwell in courtesy . So to the road thou shalt be reconcileci, And find the lady, and with the lady, Love. Commend thou me to each, as doth behove. This poem, that it may be better understood, I will divide more subtly tliaJi the others preceding ; and therefore I will make three parts of it. The first part is a proem to the words following. The second is the matter treated of. The third is. as it were, a handmaid to the preceding words. The second begins here, " An Angel ; " the third here, " Dear Song, I know. ^^ The first part is divided if ito four. Li the first, I say to whom I niean to speak of my Lady, and where- fore I will so speak. In the second, I say zvhat she appears to inyself to be when I refiect upon her excelleiice^ and what I would utter if I lost not courage. In the third, I say what it is I purpose to speak so as not to bé impeded by fainthearted- ness. In the fourth, repeating to whom I purpose speaking, I tell the reason why I speak to them. The secoJid begins here, '^ And I declare ;^^ the third here, " Whe^-efore I will not speak ;^' the fourth he?^e, " With you alone.''' Then, when I say " An angel ^' I begin treating of this lady : and this part is divided into two. In the first, I tell ivhat is understood of her in heaven. In the second, I tell what is understood of her on earth : hej-e, " My lady is desired.'' This second part is divided into two ; for, in the first, I speak of her as regards the nobleness of her soul, relating some of her virtues proceeding from her soul ; in the second, I speak of her as regards the nobleness of her body, narrating some of her beauties : here, " love saith concerning her.'' ■ This seco?id part is divided into two, for, in the first, I speak of certai?i beauties 7vhich belong to the whole perso?i ; in the second, I speak of certaiJi beauties which belong to a distinct pai't of the person : here, " Whatever her sweet eyes." This second part The New Life. 47 is divided into two ; for, in the one, I speak of the eyes, which are the beginning of hw e ; in the second, I speak of the mouth, 7idiich is the end of love. And that every vicious thought may be discarded herefrom, let the reader remetnber that it is \ above turitten that the greeting of this lady, which was an act of her mouth, was the goal of my desires, zvhile I coitld receive it. Then, 7vheji I say, '' Dear Song, I know,'' I add a stanza as it were handmaid to the others, ivherein I say what I desire from this my poem. And because this last part is easy to understand, I trouble not myself with more divisions. I say, i?ideed, that the further to ope?i the meaning of this poem, more 7ninute divisions ought to be used; but nevertheless he ivho is not of wit enough to imderstand it by these which have been already 77iade is welcome to leave it alo7ie ; for certes, I fear I have C07nmu7iicated its se7ise to too fna7iy by these prese7tt divisions, if it so happe7ied that 7na7iy should hear it. When this song was a httle gone abroad, a certain one of my friends, hearing the same, was pleased to question me, that I should tell him what thing love is ; it may be, conceiv- ing from the words thus heard a hope of me beyond my desert. Wherefore I, thinking that after such discourse it were well to say somewhat of the nature of Love, and also in accordance with my friend's desire, proposed to myself to write certain words in the which I should treat of this argu- ment. And the sonnet that I then made is this : — ^* LQYE..and the geiitle...heart are one samg^ihing, Even as the wise man 1 in his ditty saith : Each, of itself, would be such life in deatl/ / ,^»j jtjAjJj àk>^ As rational soul bereft of reasoning. / ^^^^^^^ SjkAtjuJjfi/^^'^^^'^^ 'J is Nature makes them when she loves : a ^'^^^^\j^\^ Love is, whose palace where he sojourneth 7^V_a^JL^ ^s-^ '^ / Is called the Heart ; there draws he quiet breath v I ^ \V At first, with brief or longer slumbering. ^ùèjkIu dA-*-^-*-*^ rhen b( g^utv seen in virtuous womankind ^^^^^-"^^^ _^^ iaèJU^t^ WillTTnrtre the eyes desire, and through the ^^^^\}jJ^^^m^^i,4jÌJL4-o?nen, help,'' I inti- mate to 7vhom it is my intent io7i to speak, calling on wome7i to help me to honor her. Then, when I say, ^''Humbleness,'' I say that saine which is said i?i the first part, regardi7ig two acts of her 7710 nth, 07ie whereof is her 77iost sweet speech, a7id the other her 7narvellous S7nile. 07ily, I say 7iot of this last how it operates upo7i the hearts of others, because me77iory cannot retaÌ7i this S77iile^ 7ior its operatio7i. -^ ^ ' Not many days after this (it being the will of the most High God, who also from Himself put not away death), the father of wonderful Beatrice, going out of this life, passed certainly into glory. Thereby it happened, as of very sooth it might not be otherwise, that this lady was made full of the bitterness of grief : seeing that such a parting is very grievous unto those friends who are left, and that no other friendship is hke to that between a good parent and a good child ; and .— -iurthermore considering that this lady was good in the supreme degree, and her father (as by many it hath been truly averred) of exceeding goodness. And because it is the usage of that city that men meet with men in such a grief, and women with women, certain ladies of her compan- ionship gathered themselves unto Beatrice, where she kept alone in her weeping : and as they passed in and out, I could hear them speak concerning her, how she wept. At length two of them went by me, who said : " Certainly she grieveth in such sort that one might die for pity, beholding her." Then, feeling the tears upon my face, I put up my hands to hide them : and had it not been that I hoped to /kear more concerning her (seeing that where I sat, her /friends passed continually in and out), I should assuredly È ave gone thence to be alone, when I felt the tears come, lut as I still sat in that place, certain ladies again passed pear me, who were saying among themselves : " Which of |us shall be joyful any more, who have listened to this lady in (her piteous sorrow?" And there were others who said as they went by me : " He that sitteth here could not weep more if he had beheld her as we have beheld her;" and I again : *' He is so altered that he seemeth not as himself" IJAnd still as the ladies passed to and fro, I could heai* them ■^peak after this fashion of her and of me. 50 Dante Alighieri. Wherefore afterwards, having considered and perceiving that there was herein matter for poesy, I resolved that I would write certain rhymes in the which should be contained all that those ladies had said. And because I would willingly have spoken to them if it had not been for discreetness, I made in my rhymes as though I had spoken and they had answered me. Ajid thereof I wrote two sonnets ; in the first of which I addressed them as I would fain have done ; and in the second related their answer, using the speech that I had heard from them, as though it had been spoken unto myself. And the sonnets are these : — You that thus wear a modest countenance With lids weigh 'd down by the heart's heaviness, Whence come you, that among you every face Appears the same, for its pale troubled glance ? Have you beheld my lady's face, perchance, Bow'd with the grief that Love makes full of grace ? Say now, " This thing is thus ; " as my heart says, Marking your grave and sorrowful advance. And if indeed you come from where she sighs And mourns, may it please you (for his heart's relief) To tell how it fares with her unto him Who knows that you have wept, seeing your eyes, And is so grieved with looking on your grief That his heart trembles and his sight grows dim. This sonnet is divided into two parts. Iji the first, I call and ask these ladies whether they C07fie front her, telling thein that I thiftk they do, because they return the nobler. In the seco?id, I pray them to tell me of her ; and the second begins here, ' ' And If indeed. ' ' II. Canst thou indeed be he that still would sing Of our dear lady unto none but us ? For though thy voice confirms that it is thus. Thy visage might another witness bring. And wherefore is thy grief so sore a thing That grieving thou mak'st others dolorous ? Hast thou too seen her weep, that thou from us Canst not conceal thine inward sorrowing ? TJie New Life. 51 Nay, leave our woe to us : let us alone : 'T were sin if one should strive to soothe our woe, For in her weeping we have heard her speak : Also her look 's so full of her heart's moan That they who should behold her, looking so, Must fall aswoon, feeling all life grow weak. This sonnet has foiw parts, as the ladies in whose person I reply had four forins of answer. And, because these are sufficiently shown above, I stay fiot to explain the purport of the parts, and therefore I only discrÌ7ninate them. The seco fid begins here, ''And wherefore is thy grief;'' the third here, "Nay, leave our woe; " the fourth, "Also her look.'" A few days after this, my body became afflicted with a^ painful infirmity, whereby I suffered bitter anguish for many days, which at last brought me unto such weakness that I could no longer move. And I remember that on the ninth day, being overcome with intolerable pain, a thought came into my mind concerning my lady : but when it had a little nourished this thought, my mind returned to its brooding over mine enfeebled body. And then perceiving how frail a thing life is, even though health keep with it, the matter seemed to me so pitiful that I could not choose but weep ; and weeping I said within myself: "Certainly it must some time come to pass that the very gentle Beatrice will die." Then, feeling bewildered, I closed mine eyes ; and my brain began to be in travail as the brain of one frantic, and to have such imaginations as here follow. And at the first, it seemed to me that I saw certain faces of women with their hair loosened, which called out to me, '' Thou shalt surely die ; " after the which, other terrible and unknown appearances said unto me, "Thou art dead." At length, as my fantasy held on in its wanderings, I came to be I knew not where, and to behold a throng of dishevelled ladies wonderfully sad, who kept going hither and thither weeping. Then the sun went out, so that the stars showed themselves, and they were of such a color that I knew they must be weeping : and it seemed to me that the birds fell dead out of the sky, and that there were great earthquakes. With that, while I wondered in my trance, and was filled with a grievous fear, I conceived that a certain friend came unto me and said: "Hast thou not heard? She that was thine excellent lady hath been taken out of life." Then I 52 Dante AHMeri. began to weep very piteously ; and not only in mine imagina- tion, but with mine eyes, which were wet with tears. And I seemed to look towards Heaven, and to behold a multitude of angels who were returning upwards, having before them an exceedingly white cloud : and these angels were singing together gloriously, and the words of their song were these : " Osa/ma in excels is ; " and there was no more that I heard. Then my heart that was so full of love said unto me : " It is true that our lady lieth dead ; " and it seemed to me that I went to look upon the body wherein that blessed and most noble spirit had had its abiding-place. And so strong was this idle imagining, that it made me to behold my lady in death ; whose head certain ladies seemed to be covering with a white veil ; and who was so humble of her aspect that it was as though she had said, " I have attained to look on the beginning of peace." And therewithal I came unto such humility by the sight of her, that I cried out upon Death, saying : " Now come unto me, and be not bitter against me any longer : surely, there where thou hast been, thou hast learned gentleness. Wherefore come now unto me who do greatly desire thee : seest thou not that I wear thy color already?" And when I had seen all those offices performed that are fitting to be done unto the dead, it seemed to me that I went back unto mine own chamber, and looked up towards Heaven. And so strong was my fantasy that I wept again in very truth, and said with my true voice : " O excellent soul ! how blessed is he that now looketh upon thee ! " And as I said these words, with a painful anguish of sob- bing and another prayer unto Death, a young and gentle lady, who had been standing beside me where I lay, conceiving that I wept and cried out because of the pain of mine in- firmity, was taken with trembling and began to shed tears. Whereby other ladies, who were about the room, becoming aware of my discomfort by reason of the moan that she made (who indeed was of my very near kindred), led her away from where I was, and then set themselves to awaken me, thinking that I dreamed, and saying : " Sleep no longer, and be not disquieted." Then, by their words, this strong imagination was brought suddenly to an end, at the moment that I was about to say, "O Beatrice ! peace be with thee." And already I had said, The New Life. 53 " O Beatrice ! " when being aroused, I opened mine eyes, and knew that it had been a deception. But albeit I had indeed uttered her name, yet my voice was so broken with sobs, that it was not understood by these ladies ; so that in spite of the sore shame that I felt, I turned towards them by Love's counselling. And when they beheld me, they began to say, " He seemeth as one dead," and to whisper among themselves, " Let us strive if we may not comfort him." Whereupon they spake to me many soothing words, and questioned me moreover touching the cause of my fear. Then I, being somewhat reassured, and having perceived that it was a mere fantasy, said unto them, " This thing it was that made me afeard ; " and told them of all that I had seen, from the beginning even unto the end, but without once speaking the name of my lady. Also, after I had recovered from my sickness, I bethought me to write these things in rhyme ; deeming it a lovely thing to be known. Whereof I wrote this poem : — A VERY pitiful lady, very young, Exceeding rich in human sympathies, Stood by, what time I clamor'd upon Death; And at the wild words wandering on my tongue And at the piteous look within mine eyes She was affrighted, that sobs choked her breath. So by her weeping where I lay beneath, Some other gentle ladies came to know My state, and made her go : Afterward, bending themselves over me, One said, " Awaken thee ! " And one, " What thing thy sleep disquieteth ? " With that, my soul woke up from its eclipse, The while my lady's name rose to my lips : But utter'd in a voice so sob-broken, So feeble with the agony of tears, That I alone might hear it in my heart ; And though that look was on my visage then Which he who is ashamed so plainly wears, Love made that I through shame held not apart, But gazed upon them. And my hue was such That they looked at each other and thought of death ; Saying under their breath Most tenderly, " O let us comfort him : " Then unto me : " What dream 54 Dante AligJiieri. Was thine, that it hath shaken thee so much ? " And when I was a httle comforted, " This, ladies, was the dream I dreamt," I said. " I was a-thinking how h'fe fails with us Suddenly after such a little while ; When Love sobb'd in lìi y ^p^rt w1-.;m-| ]s hjc; ^^nmp. Whereby my spirit wax'd so dolorous That in myself I said, with sick recoil: 'Yea, to my lady too this Death must come.' And therewithal such a bewilderment Possess'd me, that I shut mine eyes for peace ; And in my brain did cease Order of thought, and every healthful thing. Afterwards, wandering Amid a swarm of doubts that came and went. Some certain women's faces hurried by. And shriek'd to me, ' Thou too shalt die, shalt die ! ' " Then saw I many broken hinted sights In the uncertain state I stepp'd into. Meseem'd to be I know not in w^hat place, Where ladies through the street, like mournful lights. Ran with loose hair, and eyes that frightened you By their own terror, and a pale amaze: The while, little by little, as I thought. The sun ceased, and the stars began to gather. And each wept at the other ; And birds dropp'd in mid-flight out of the sky ; And earth shook suddenly. And I was 'ware of one, hoarse and tired out, Who ask'd of me : ' Hast thou not heard it said? . . . Thy lady, she that was so fair, is dead." " Then lifting up mine eyes, as the tears came, I saw the Angels, like a rain of manna, In a long flight flying back Heavenward ; Having a little cloud in front of them, After the which they went and said, ' Hosanna ; ' And if they had said more, you should have heard. Then Love said, ' Now shall all things be made clear Come and behold our lady where she lies.' These 'wildering fantasies Then carried me to see my lady dead. Even as I there was led. Her ladies with a veil were covering her; And with her was such very humbleness That she appeared to say, ' I am at peace.' The Neiu Life. 55 " And I became so humble in my grief, Seeing in her such deep humility, That I said : ' Death, I hold thee passing good Henceforth, and a most gentle sweet relief, Since my dear love has chosen to dwell with thee : Pity, not hate, is thine, well understood. Lo ! I do so desire to see thy face That I am like as one who nears the tomb ; My soul entreats thee, Come.' Then I departed, having made my moan ; And when I was alone I said, and cast my eyes to the High Place : ' Blessed is he, fair soul, who meets thy glance ! ' . . . Just then you woke me, of your complaisance." This poem has two parts. Li the first, speaking to a person undefined, I tell how I was ai'oused from a vain fantasy by certain ladies, and how I promised them to tell what it was. In the second, I say how I told them. The second part begi?is here, " I was a-thinkiiig?'' The first part divides into two. hi the first, I tell that which certain ladies, and which one singly, did and said because of my fantasy, before I had returned into my right senses. In the second, I tell what these ladies said to me after I had left off this wandering : and it begins here, "But uttered in a voice. ''^ Then, when I say, " I was a-ih inking,''' I say how I told them this 7ny imagination ; and concerning this I have two parts. In the first, I tell, in order, this imaginatio7i^ In the secoiid, saying at what tinie they called me, I covertly thank them : and this part begins here, " Just then you woke meT After this empty imagining, it happened on a day, as I sat thoughtful, that I was taken with such a strong trembling at the heart, that it could not have been otherwise in the presence of my lady. Whereupon I perceived that there was an appearance of Love beside me, and I seemed to see him coming from my lady ; and he said, not aloud but within my heart : " |S[nw tnkp heed ^\\■^ \ fhnn bless the dav„ when I entered into tjiee ; fnr j| i»^ fitfincr thnf tlinn glinnld',]- d_ 9 so," And with thnt mv hf-vnrt w.-m tx^ i«/i ^XM- X-*^ Of envy, but draws round her a clear Ime Vyjf t , n prio^eZaha blessed faith, and gentleness. J V^ ^(Luu^-^ ^ -" UVferelv thesight oTlier makes all things E o\,y / ^ Not she herself alone is holier Than all ; but hers, through her, are raised above. /From all her acts su'ch. lovely graces flow That truly one may never think of her Without a passion of exceeding love. T/iis sonnet has three parts. In the first, I say in what company this lady appeared most wondrous. In the second, I say how gracious was her society. In the third, I tell of the things which she, with power, ivorked upon others. The second begins here, " They that go with her ; " the third here, " So perfect.''' This last part divides into three. In the first, I tell what she operated upon women, that is, by their own faculties. In the second, I tell what she operated in the7n through others. In the third., I say how she not only operated in wo7?ten, but in all people ; and not only while herself present, but, by meinory of her, operated won- drously. The second begins here, ^^ Merely the sight ;'^ the third here, '' From all her acts''' Thereafter on 2. day, I began to consider that which I had said of my lady : to wit, in these two sonnets aforegone : and becoming aware that I had not spoken of her immediate effect on me at that especial time, it seemed to me that I had spoken defectively. Wjierenpon T reso lyfd to write Somewhat of the manner wherein I was then subject to her influence, and of what her influence then was. And con- ceiving that I should not be able to say these things in the small compass of a sonnet, I began therefore a poem with this beginning : — Love hath so long possessed me for his own And made his lordship so familiar That he, who at first irked me, is now grown Unto my heart as its best secrets are. And thus, when he in such sore wise doth mar My life that all its strength seems gone from il, Mine inmost being then feels thoroughly quit 62 Dante Alighieri. Of anguish, and all evil keeps afar. Love also gathers to such power in me That my sighs speak, each one a grievous thing. Always soliciting My lady's salutation piteously. WheneV'er she beholds me, it is so, Who is more sweet than any words can show. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena popiilo ! facta est quasi vidua dojnina gentium I ^ I was still occupied with this poem (having composed thereof only the above- written stanza), when the Lord God of justice called my most gracious lady unto Himself, that she might be glorious under the banner of that blessed Queen Mary, whose name had always a deep reverence in the words of holy Beatrice. And because haply it might be found good that I should say somew^hat concerning her departure, I will herein declare what are the reasons which make that I shall not do so. And the reasons are three. The first is, that such matter belongeth not of right to the present argument, if one con- sider the opening of this little book. The second is, that' even though the present argument required it, my pen doth not suffice to write in a fit manner of this thing. And the third is, that w^ere it both possible and of absolute necessity, it would still be unseemly for me to speak thereof, seeing that thereby it must behove me to speak also mine own praises : a thing that in wdiosoever doeth it is worthy of blame. For the which reasons, I wall leave this matter to be treated of by some other than myself. Nevertheless, as the number nine, which number hath often had mention in wdiat hath gone before (and not, as it might appear, w^ithout reason), seems also to have borne a part in the manner of her death : it is therefore right that I should say somewhat thereof. And for this cause, having first said what was the part it bore herein, I will afterwards point out a reason which made that this number was so closely allied unto my lady. 1 " How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people ! how is she become as a widow, she that was great among the nations ! " — Lamentations of Jeremiah^ i. i. The New Life. 63 I say, then, that according to the division of time in Italy, her most noble spirit departed from among us in the first hour of the ninth day of the month ; and according to the division of time in Syria, in the ninth month of the year : ^^ seeing that Tismim, which with us is October, is there the first month. Also she was taken from among us in that year of our reckoning (to wit, of the years of our Lord) in which the perfect number was nine times multiplied within that century wherein she was born into the world : which is to say, the thirteenth century of Christians.-^ And touching the reason why this number was so closely allied unto her, it may peradventure be this. According to Ptolemy (and also to the Christian verity), the revolving heavens are nine ; and according to the common opinion ^V^^ among astrologers, these nine heavens together have influ- ence over the earth. Wherefore it would appear that this number was thus allied unto her for the purpose of signifying that, at her birth, all these nine heavens were at perfect unity with each other as to their influence. This is one rea- son that may be brought : but more narrowly considering, and according to the infallible truth, this number was her own self: that is to say, by similitude. As thus. The num- ber three is the root of the number nine ; seeing that without the interposition of any other number, being multiplied mere- ly by itself, it produceth nine, as we manifestly perceive that three times three are nine. Thus, three being of itself the efficient of nine, and the Great Efficient of Miracles being of Himself Three Persons (to wit : the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), which, being Three, are also One : — this ladv '^'^» ^^ was accompanied by the number -nine to the end that men ^ ^' pight clearlv perceive her to be a nine, that is, a miracle, wiiose lè^^-**^ only root is the Holy Trinity . It may be that a more subtile person would find for this thing a reason of greater subtilty : but such is the reason that I find, and that liketh me best. After this most gracious creature had gone out from among us, the whole city came to be as it were widowed and de- spoiled of all dignity. Then I, left mourning in this desolate 1 Beatrice Portinari will thus be found to have died durine^ the first hour of the 9th of fune, i2qo. And from what Dante says at the commencement of this work (viz. that she was younger than himself by eight or nine months), it may also be gathered that her age, at the time of her death, was twenty- four years and three months. The "perfect number" mentioned in the present passage is the number ten. 64 Dante Alighieri. city, wrote unto the principal persons thereof, in an epistle, concerning its condition ; taking for my commencement those words of Jeremias : Quomodo sedet sola ciintas ! etc. And I make mention of this, that none may marvel where- fore I set down these words before, in beginning to treat of her death. Also if any should blame me, in that I do not transcribe that epistle whereof I have spoken, I will make it mine excuse that I began this Httle book with the intent that it should be written altogether in the vulgar tongue ; where- fore, seeing that the epistle I speak of is in Latin, it belongeth not to mine undertaking : more especially as I know that my chief friend, for whom I write this book, wished also that the whole of it should be in the vulgar tongue. When mine eyes had wept for some while, until they were so weary with weeping that I could no longer through them give ease to my sorrow, I bethought me that a few mournful words might stand me instead of tears. And therefore I proposed to make a poem, that weeping I might speak there- in of her for whom so much sorrow had destroyed my spirit ; and I then began "The eyes that weep." That this poem may seem to remain the more widowed at its close, I will divide it before writing it ; and this method I will observe heiiceforward. I say that this poor little poem has three parts. The first is a prelude. In the seeo?td, I speak of her. In the third, I speakpitifully to the poetn. The second begi?is ^ ''re, ^'-Beatrice is goJie tip;'' the third here., " Weep,pitij Song of mine.''' 71ie first divides into thj-ee. In the first, y what 7noves me to speak. In the second, I say to who I mean to speak. In the third, I say of who77i I mea. to speak. The second begins hei'e, ''And because often, thinking;" the third here, '' And I will say." Then, whe7i I say, ""Beatrice is gone up," I speak of her ; and coiicerning this I have two pa?-ts. First, I tell the cause why she was taken away from ns : afterwards, I say how ojie weeps her parting ; and this pai't comjnences here, " Won- derfully" This pa?! divides into thi-ee. In the first, I say who it is that weeps her 7iot. In the seco7td, I say who it is that doth weep her. In the thÌ7'd, I speak of my co7idition. The second begÌ7is here, " But sighi7ig comes, a7id grief ; " the third, " With sighs." The7i, whe7i I say, " Weep, pitiful So7ig of 77ii7ie," I speak to this my song, telling it what ladies to go to, a7id stay with. The New Life. 65 The eyes that weep for pity of the heart Have wept so long that their grief languisheth, And they have no more tears to weep withal : And now, if I would ease me of a part Of what, little by little, leads to death, It must be done by speech, or not at all. '^nd because often, thinking, 1 recall How it was pleasant, ere she went afar, To talk of her with you, kind damozels, 1 talk with no one else, But only with such hearts as women's are. '^nd I will say, — still sobbing as speech fails, — That she hath gone to Heaven suddenly, And hath left Love below, to mourn with me. Beatrice is gone up into high Heaven, The kingdom where the angels are at peace; And lives with them : and to her friends is dead. Not by the frost of winter was she driven Away, like others ; nor bv .snmmpr-hpats. - But throuo-h a perfect crentleness, instead, ifl ^ J^-^uu/A-t-»-*^ For from the lamp of her meek lowlihead -^ ' ^[7\^^4^ ][MjU g^nrh nn pyrppdin»- ^dpry wfnt up henrn Yu^ />^-w. That it woke wonder in the Fternal Sirp^ Tkj^ juJ B^'^-'-^ ^ ^ Until a sweet d^^M'^ '^ ■"" " ^^ '^^''J^'f Entered Him for that Inyply pvrpll^nrp, /*^>^ "^'l^/.^ Counting this weary and most evjl piare T Ti-)vvr>rthy nf a thing ^r^ fnj] of cnr-^n(^ - {J Wonderfully out of the beautiful form Soared her clear spirit, waxing glad the while ;. », LL* And is in its first home^ th^re where it is - Aft ^1 *^I^^ Who speaks thereof, and feels not the tears warm ^ '^^^'^"^Q Upon his face, must have become so vile As to be dead to all sweet sympathies. Out upon him ! an abject wretch like .this May not imagine anything of her, — He needs no bitter tears for his relief. But sighing comes, and grief, And the desire to find no comforter (Save only Death, who makes all sorrow brief), To him who for a while turns in his thought How she hath been among us, and is not. With sighs my bosom always laboreth In thinking, as I do continually, Of her for whom my heart now breaks apace ; 5 66 Dante Alighieri. And very often when I think of death, Such a great inward longing comes to me That it will change the color of my face; And, if the idea settles in its place, All my limbs shake as with an ague-fit : Till, starting up in wild bewilderment, I do become so shent That I go forth, lest folk misdoubt of it. Afterward, calling with a sore lament On Beatrice, I ask, " Canst thou be dead ? " And calling on her, I am comforted. GrVef with its tears, and anorin^h with it»^ '^igh»; Come to menow whfP^''^'' ^ "^^^ ninnar / So that I think the sight of me gives pain. And what my life hath been, that living dies, \y Since for my lady the New Birth 'shpp-ijp^ *^ "" 1 liave not any language to explam. ~ And so, dear ladies, though my heart were fain, I scarce could tell indeed how I am thus. All joy is with my bitter life at war ; Yea, 1 am fallen so far That all men seem to say, " Go out from us," Eying my cold white lips, how dead they are. But she, though I be bowed unto the dust, Watches me ; and will guerdon me, I trust. Weep, pitiful Song of mine, upon thy way, To the dames going and the damozels For whom and for none else Thy sisters have made music many a day. Thou, that art very sad and not as they. Go dwell thou with them as a mourner dwells. After I had written this poem, I received the visit of a friend whom I counted as second unto me in the degrees of friendship, and who, moreover, had been united by the nearest kindred to that most gracious creature. And when we had a little spoken together, he began to solicit me that I would write somewhat in memory of a lady who had died ; and he disguised his' speech, so as to seem to be speaking of another who was but lately dead : wherefore I, perceiving that his speech was of none other than that blessed one her- self, told him that it should be done as he required. Then afterwards, having thought thereof, I imagined to give vent The New Life. 6^ in a sonnet to some part of my hidden lamentations ; but in such sort that it might seem to be spoken by this friend of mine, to whom I was to give it. And the sonnet saith thus : " Stay now with me," etc. This so?i?iet has two parts. I?i the first, I call the Faith- ful of Love to hear 7?te. L?i the seco?td, L 7'elate my liiiser- able condition. The second hegÌ7is here, " Mark how they force.^^ Stay now with me, and listen to my sighs, Ye piteous hearts, as pity bids ye do. Mark how they force their way out and press through ; If they be once pent up, the whole life dies. Seeing that now indeed my weary eyes Oftener refuse than I can tell to you (Even though my endless grief is ever new) To weep and let the smothered anguish rise. Also in sighing ye shall hear me call , On her whose blessed presence doth enrirh \^ rAV CHJ The only home that well befitteth her : ^_3 And ye shall hear a bitter scorn of all Sent from the inmost of my spirit in speech That mourns its joy and its joy's minister. But when I had written this sonnet, bethinking me who he was to whom I was to give it, that it might appear to be his speech, it seemed to me that this was but a poor and barren gift for one of her so near kindred. Wherefore, be- fore giving him this sonnet, I wrote two stanzas of a poem : the first being written in very sooth as though it were spoken by him, but the other being mine own speech, albeit, unto one who should not look closely, they would both seem to be said by the same person. Nevertheless, looking closely, one must perceive that it is not so, inasmuch as one does not call this most gracious creature his lady, and the other does, as is manifestly apparent. And I gave the poem and the sonnet unto my -friend, saying that I had made them only for him. The poem begins, " Whatever while ^^ and has two parts. lit the first, that is, in the first stanza, this 7?iy dear friend, her kins77ian, Ia77ie7its. L7i the second, L lame7it ; that is, Ì7i the other sta7iza, which begÌ7is, " For ever.'^ And thus it appears that Ì7i this poe77t two persons lament, of whom one Ia77ie7its as a brother, the other as a serva7it. 68 Dante Alisrhieri. Whatever while the thought comes over me That I may not again Behold that lady whom I mourn for now, About my heart my mind brings constantly So much of extreme pain That I say, Soul of mine, why stayest thou? Truly the anguish, Soul, that we must bow Beneath, until we win out of this life. Gives me full oft a fear that trembleth : So that I call on Death Even as on Sleep one calleth after strife. Saying, Come unto me. Life showeth grim And bare ; and if one dies, I envy him. r .Ka .i'» :c Then, having sat for some space sorely in thought because of the time that was now past, I was so filled with dolorous hnaginings that it became outwardly manifest in mine altered countenance. Whereupon, feehng this and being in dread 70 Dante Alighieri. lest any should have seen me, I lifted mine eyes to look; and then perceived a young and very beautiful lady, who was gazing upon me from a window with a gaze full of pity, so that the very sum of pity appeared gathered together in her. And seeing that unhappy persons, when they beget compassion in others, are then most moved unto weeping, as though they also felt pity for themselves, it came to pass that mine eyes began to be inclined unto tears. Where- fore, becoming fearful lest I should make manifest mine ab- ject condition, I rose up, and went where I could not be seen of that lady ; saying afterwards within myself : " Cer- tainly with her also must abide most noble Love." And with that, I resolved upon writing a sonnet, wherein, speak- ing unto her, I should say all that I have just said. And as this sonnet is very evident, I will not divide it : — Mine eyes beheld the blessed pity spring Into thy countenance immediately A while agone, when thou beheldst in me The sickness only hidden grief can bring ; And then I knew thou wast considering How abject and forlorn my life must be ; And I became afraid that thou shouldst see My weeping, and account it a base thing. Therefore I went out from thee ; feeling how The tears were straightway loosened at my heart Beneath thine e3-es' compassionate control. And afterwards I said within my soul : " Lo ! with this lady dwells the counterpart Of the same Love who holds me weeping now." It happened after this that whensoever I was seen of this lady, she became pale and of a piteous countenance, as though it had been with love ; whereby she remembered jp e many times of my own most nohle lady^ who ^^^^"^ vrnn^ ^^ he of PI like palenes s. And I know that often, when I could not weep nor m any way give ease unto mine anguish, I went to look upon this lady, who seemed to bring the tears into my eyes by the mere sight of her. Of the which thing I bethought me to speak unto her in rhyme, and then made this sonnet : which begins, " Love's pallor," and which is plain without being divided, by its exposition aforesaid : — Love's pallor and the semblance of deep ruth Were never yet shown forth so perfectly In any lady's face, chancing to see TJlc New Life. Grief's miserable countenance uncouth, As in thine, lady, they have sprung to soothe, When in mine anguish thou hast looked on me ; Until sometimes it seems as if, through thee, My heart might almost wander from its truth. Yet so it is, I cannot hold mine eyes From gazing very often upon thine In the sore hope to shed those tears they keep ; And at such time, thou mak'st the pent tears rise Even to the brim, till the eyes waste and pine ; Yet cannot they, while thou art present, weep. At length, by the constant sight of this lady, mine eyes heo-an to he gladdened overmnrh with her rnmp^nj^ j thrniirrh which thi ng riianv times T hnd mnrh imrpc^f^ and r^KiiV^d my^plf a^ pi ha^e person. • also, many times I cursed the unsteadfastness of mine eyes, and said to them inwardly : " Was not your grievous condition of weeping wont one while to make others weep? And will ye now forget this thing because a lady looketh upon you? who so looketh merely in compassion of the grief ye then showed for your own blessed lady. But whatso ye can, that do ye, accursed eyes ! many a time will I make you remember it ! for never, till death dry you up, should ye make an end of your weep- ing." And when I had spoken thus unto mine eyes, I was taken again with extreme and grievous sighing. And to the end that this inward strife which I had undergone might not be hidden from all saving the miserable wretch who endured it, I proposed to write a sonnet, and to comprehend in it this horrible condition. And I wrote this which begins, " The very bitter weeping." The soimet has two parts. In the first, I speak to uiy eyes, as my heart spoke within myself. In the seco?id, I reinove a difficidty., showing n'ho it is that speaks thus : and this part begins here^ " So far.'' It well might receive other divisions also ; bnt this would be useless^ since it is manifest by the preceding exposition. " The very bitter weeping that ye made So long a time together, eyes of mine, Was wont to make the tears of pity shine In other eyes full oft, as I have said. But nov/ this thing were scarce remembered , If I, on my part, foully would combine With you, and not recall each ancient sign Dante A li schieri. Of grief, and her for whom your tears were shed. It is your fickleness that doth betray My mind to fears, and makes me tremble thus What while a lady greets me with her eyes. Except by death, we must not any way Forget our lady who is gone from us." So far doth my heart utter, and then sighs. The sight of this lady brought me into so unwonted a con- dition that I often thought of her as of one too dear unto me ; and I began to consider her thus : ^' This lady is young , l ^autiful, gentle, and wise : perchance it was Love himself V YJli^set lier m my path, that so mv hfe might find peace." And there were times when I thought yet more fondly, until my heart consented unto its reasoning. But when it had so consented, my thought would often turn round upon me, as moved by reason, and cause me to say within myself: " What hope is this which would console me after so base a fashion, and which hath taken the place of all other imagin- ing?" Also there was another voice within me, that said : " And wilt thou, having suffered so much tribulation through Love, not escape while yet thou mayst from so much bitter- ness? Thou must surely know that this thought carries with it the desire of Love, and drew its life from the gentle eyes of that lady who vouchsafed thee so much pity." Wherefore I, having striven sorely and very often with myself, bethought me to say somewhat thereof in rhyme. And seeing that in the battle of doubts, the victory most often remained with such as inclined towards the lady of whom I speak, it seemed to me that I should address this sonnet unto her : in the first line whereof, I call that thought which spake of her a gentle thought, only because it spoke of one who was gentle ; being of itself most vile.^ /;/ this sonnet I make myself into tiao, according as my thoughts wer-e divided 07ie from the other. The one ^art I call Hearty that is. a1)i)etite : the other, Soul, TJiat is, reason; 1 Boccaccio tells us that Dante was married to Gemma Donate about a year after the death of Beatrice. Can Gemma then be " the lady of the window," his love for whom Dante so contemns ? Such a passing conjecture (when con- sidered together with the interpretation of this passage in Dante's later work, the Convito) would of course imply an admission of what I believe to lie at the heart of all true Dantesque commentary ; that is, the existence always of the actual events even where the allegorical superstructure has been raised by Dante himself. TI Le New Life. y^ a?id I teli what 07ie saith to the other. And that it is fittÌ7ig to call the appetite Hearty and the reason Soul, is 7nanifest enough to them to whom I wish this to be open. True it is that, in the preceding sonjiet, I take the part of the Heart against the Eyes ; and that appears contrary to what I say i/t the presetit ; 'and therefore I say that, there also, by the Heart I mea7i appetite, because yet greater 7vas my desire to remember my mnxf g^uf/p I gdy than to see this other, alt/wuz/i indeed I had some appetite towards her, but it appeared slight : where- fro?n it appears that the one statei7ie}it is 7iot co/itra7y to the other. This S07i7iet has three parts. J71 the first, I begin to say to this lady how 7ny desires tur7i all towards her. I7i the seco7id, I say how the Soul, that is, the reaso7i, speaks to the Heart, that is, to the appetite. I7i the thirds I say how the latter answers. The secofid begins here, " A7id 7vhat is this ì " the third here, "■ A7id the hea7't a/iswers.'^ A GENTLE thought there is will often start. Within my secret self, to speech of thee : Also of Love it speaks so tenderly That much in me consents and takes its part. "And what is this," the soul saith to the heart, " That Cometh thus to comfort thee and me. And thence where it would dwell, thus potently Can drive all other thoughts by its strange art ? " And the heart answers : " Be no more at strife 'Twixt doubt and doubt : tins i s Love's messenger And speaketh but his woi-'dspTrom him reroivt^^d ^ And all the strength it owns and all the life! Tf di-awpth froi-11 the o-ent1e eyes of her Who, looking on our grief, hath often grieved." But against this adversary of reason, there rose up in me on a certain day, about the ninth hour, a strong visible fan- tasy, wherein I seemed to beKoTS'llTè most gracious Beatrice, habited in that crimson raiment which she had worn when I had first beheld her ; also she appeared to me of the same tender age as then. Whereupon I fell into a deep thought of her : and my memory ran back, according to the order of time, unto all those matters in the which she had borne a part ; and my heart began painfully to repent of the desire by which it had so basely let itself be possessed during so many days, contrary to the constancy of reason. 74 Dciìite AligJncn. And then, this evil desire being quite gone from me, all my thoughts turned again unto their excellent Beatrice. And I say most truly that from that hour I thought con - stantly of her vvitJi the whole humbled and ashamed hear t ; the which became often manifest in sighs, that had among them the name of that most gracious creature, and how she departed from u s. Also it would come to pass very often, through the bitter anguish of some one thought, that I for- got both it, and myself, and where I was. By this increase of sighs, my weeping, which before had been somewhat les- sened, increased in like manner ; so that mine eyes seemed to long only for tears and to cherish them, and came at last to be circled about with red as though they had suffered martyrdom : neither were they able to look again upon the beauty of any face that might again bring them to shame and evil : from which things it will appear that they were fitly guerdoned for their unsteadfastness. Wherefore I (wish- ing that mine abandonment of all such evil desires and vain temptations should be certified and made manifest, beyond all doubts which might have been suggested by the rhymes aforewritten) proposed to write a sonnet where- in I should express this purport. And I then wrote, '' Woe 's me!" / said, " Woe V me f^^ because I was ashamed of the tri- fling of Jtiine eyes. This son?iet I do not divide^ since its pur- port is manifest enough. Woe 's me ! by dint of all these sighs that come Forth of my heart, its endless grief to prove, Mine eyes are conquered, so that even to move Their lids for greeting is grown troublesome. They wept so long that now they are grief's home, And count their tears all laughter far above ; They wept till they are circled now by Love With a red circle in sign of martyrdom. These musings, and the sighs they bring from me, Are grown at last so constant and so sore That love swoons in my spirit with faint breath ; Hearing in those sad sounds continually The most sweet name that my dead lady bore, With many grievous words touching her death. About this time, it happened that a great number of per- sons undertook a pilgrimage, to the end that they might The New Life. 75 behold that blessed portraiture bequeathed unto us by our Lord Jesus Christ as the image of His beautiful countenance ^ (upon which countenance my dear lady now looketh contin- ually). And certain among these pilgrims, who seemed very thoughtful, passed by a path which is well-nigh in the midst of the city where my most gracious lady was born, and abode, and at last died. Then I, beholding them, said within myself: "These pil- grims seem to be come from very far ; and I think they cannot have heard speak of this lady, or know anything con- cerning her. Their thoughts are not of hf ^r, ^^^^^ ^^ ni-1-.Pr t hings ; it may be^ of the jr fHpnHt: \fj\ycy ^| -f^ fnr Hi^ tpnt^ '^^'^ whom we, in our turn, know not.^ And I went on to say : " " 1 know tnat it ttiey were 01 a country near unto us, they would in some wise seem disturbed, passing through this city which is so full of grief." And I said also : " If I could speak with them a space, I am certain that I should make them weep before they went forth of this city ; for those things that they would hear from me must needs beget weep- ing in any." And when the last of them had gone by me, I bethought me to write a sonnet, showing forth mine inward speech ; and that it might seem the more pitiful, I made as though I had spoken it indeed unto them. And I wrote this sonnet, which beginneth : " Ye pilgrim-folk." I made use of the word pilo:rÌ7ii for its generafsigmfication : for '^ p il grjm " may i)e understood in two senses^ one general, and n^ie t;pprin1 General, so far as any man may he called a pilgrim who leaveth the place of his birth ; whereas, more narrowlv speak - ing, he only is a pilgrmi who goeth towpirds or frp\vards the "t^ouse of St. James. For there are three separate denomi- nations proper unto those who undertake journeys to the glory of God. They are called Palmers who go beyond the seas eastward, whence often they bring palm-branches. And 1 The Veronica ( Vera icon, or true image) ; that is, the napkin with which a woman was said to have wiped our Saviour's face on His w^ay to the cross, and which miraculously retained its likeness. Dante makes mention of it also in the Commedia (Farad, xxi. 103), where he says: — " Qual è colui che forse di Croazia Viene a veder la Veronica nostra Che per 1' antica fama non si sazia Ma dice nel pansier fin che si mostra : Signor mio Gesù Cristo, Iddio verace. Or fu sì fatta la sembianza vostra ? " etc. 76 Dante Alighieri. Pilgrims, as I have said, are they who journey unto the holy House of Gallicia ; seeing that no other apostle was buried so far from his birthplace as was the blessed Saint James. And there is a third sort who are called Romers ; in that they go whither these whom I have called pilgrims went : which is to say, unto Rome. This sonnet is not divided, because its own woj'ds sufficiently declare it. Ye pilgrim-folk, advancing pensively As if in thought of distant things, I pray, Is your own land indeed so far away — As by your aspect it would seem to be — JThat this our heavy sorrow leaves you free lliougli passing through the nVou rntU* town mid-wny_: Like unto men that understand to-day iNothing at all of her great misery? Yet if ye will but stay, whom I accost, And listen to my words a little space, At going ye shall mourn with a loud voice. It is her Beatrice that she hath lost ; Ut whom the least word spoken holds snrh grare l^hat men weep hearing it, and have no choice. A while after these things, two gentle ladies sent unto me, praying that I would bestow upon them certain of these my rhymes. And I (taking into account their worthiness and consideration) resolved that I would write also a new thing, and send it them together with those others, to the end that their wishes might be more honorably fulfilled. Therefore I made a sonnet, which narrates my condition, and which I caused to be conveyed to them, accompanied by the one preceding, and with that other which begins, " Stay now with me and listen to my sighs." And the new sonnet is, ** Be- yond the sphere." This sonnet comprises Jive parts, hi the first, I tell whither my thought goeth, naming the place by the ?iame of one of its effects . In the second, I say wherefore it goeth up, and who makes it go thus. In the third, I tell what it saw, namely, a lady honored. And I then call it a " Pilgrim Spirit,''' because it goes up spiritually, and like a pilgrÌ77i who is out of his knowJi cou7itry. In the fourth, I say how the spirit sees her such {that is, in such quality) that I cannot understand her ; that is to say, my thought rises into the quality of her in a The Neiv Life. 77 degree that my intellect cafinot C07nprehe?td, seeing that our intellect is, towards those blessed souls, like our eye weak against the sun; and this the Philosopher says in the Second of the Metaphysics. In the fifth, I say that, although I cannot see there whither niy thought carries me — that is, to her admirable essence — I at least understand this, namely, that it is a thought of my lady, because I often hear her name therein. A?id, at the end of this fifth pa?'t, I say, " Ladies mine,'" to show that they are ladies to whom I speak. The second part begins, " A new perception ; " the third, " When it hath reached ; " the fourth, " // sees her such ; " the fifth.. ^^ And yet I know. ''^ It might be divided yet more nicely, and made yet clearer ; but this division may pass^ and therefore I stay not to divide it further. Beyond the sphere which spreads to widest space Now soars the sigh tlmt my heart sends abovej Jt\ ne\v~ perception Sorn ot grieving Love Guideth it upward the untrodden ways. When it hath reached unto the end, and stays, It sees a lady round whom splendors move In homage; till, by the great light thereof Abashed, the pilgrim spirit stands at gaze. It sees her such, that when it tells me this Which it hath seen, I understand it not, It hath a speech so subtile and so fine. And yet I know its voice wilhin my thou^J iL Often remembere th me ot Beatrice : Ì50 that 1 understand ii, ladles" mine. After writing this sonnet, it was given unto me to behold a very wonderful vision : ^ wherein I saw things which deter- mined me that I would say nothing further of this most blessed one, until such time as I could discourse more wor- thily concerning her. And to this end I labor all I can ; as she well knoweth. Wherefore if it be His pleasure through whom is the Hfe of all things, that my life continue with me a few years, it is my hope that I shall yet write concerning her what hath not before been written of any woman. After 1 This we may believe to have been the Vision of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, which furnished the triple argument of the Divina Commedia. The Latin words ending the Vita Nuova are almost identical with those at the close of the letter in which Dante, on concluding the Paradise, and accom- plishing the hope here expressed, dedicates his great work to Can Grande della Scala. y8 Dante Alighieri, the which, may it seem good unto Him who is the Master of Grace, that my spirit should go hence to behold the glory of its lady : to wit, of that blessed Beatrice who now gazeth continually on His countenance qui est per omnia scecula bejiedicius?- Laus Deo. 1 " Who is blessed throughout all ages.' THE END OF THE NEW LIFE. Dante AligJiieri. 79 I. TO BRUNETTO LATINI. Sonnet. Sent with the Vita Nuova. Master Brunetto, this my little maid Is come to spend her Easter-tide with you; Not that she reckons feasting as her due, — Whose need is hardly to be fed, but read. Not in a hurry can her sense be weigh'd, Nor mid the jests of any noisy crew : Ah ! and she wants a little coaxing too Before she '11 get into another's head. But if you do not find her meaning clear, You 've many Brother Alberts ^ hard at hand, Whose wisdom will respond to any call. Consult with them and do not laugh at her ; And if she still is hard to understand, Apply to Master Janus last of all. II. Sonnet.'^ Of Beatrice de"* Portinari, on All Saints^ Day. Last All Saints' holy-day, even now gone by, I met a gathering of damozels : She that came first, as one doth who excels, Had Love with her, bearing her company : A flame burned forward through her steadfast eye, As when in hving fire a spirit dwells : So, gazing with the boldness which prevails O'er doubt, I knew an angel visibly. ''■ Probably in allusion to Albert of Cologne. Giano (Janus), which follows, was in use as an Italian name, as for instance Giano della Bella; but it seems probable that Dante is merely playfully advising his preceptor to avail himself of the twofold insight of Janus the double-faced. 2 This and the six following pieces (with the possible exception of the canzone at page 81) seem so certainly to liave been written at the same time as the poetry of the Vita Nuova^ that it becomes difficult to guess why they were omitted from that work. Other poems in Dante's Canzoniere refer in a more general manner to his love for Beatrice, but each among those I allude to bears the impress of some special occasion. 8o Dante Aligli neri. As she passed on, she bowed her mild approof And salutation to all men of worth, Liftin_2; the soul to solemn thoughts aloof. In Heaven itself that lady had her birth, I think, and is with us for our behoof : Blessed are they who meet her on the earth. III. Sonnet. To certain Ladies ; wJieii Beatrice was la7nenting her Father'' s Death?- Whence come you, all of you so sorrowful ? An it may please you, speak for courtesy. I fear for my dear lady's sake, lest she Have made you to return thus filled with dule. O gentle ladies, be not hard to school In gentleness, but to some pause agree, And something of my lady say to me, For with a little my desire is full. Howbeit it be a heavy thing to hear: For Love now utterly has thrust me forth. With hand for ever lifted, striking fear. See if I be not worn unto the earth ; Yea, and my spirit must fail from me here, If, when you speak, your words are of no worth. ' IV. Sonnet. To the same Ladies ; with their Answer. Ye ladies, walking past me piteous-eyed. Who is the lady that lies prostrate here.'' Can this be even she my heart holds dear.^* Nay, if it be so, speak, and nothing hide. Her very aspect seems itself beside. And all her features of such altered cheer That to my thinking they do not appear Hers who makes others seem beatified. " If thou forget to know our lady thus, Whom grief overcomes, we w^onder in no wise, For also the same thing befalleth us. Yet if thou watch the movement of her eyes. Of her thou shalt be straightway conscious. O weep no more ; thou art all wan with sighs." 1 See the Vita Nuova, at page 49. Dante Al ig J neri. V. Ballata. He will gaze tip on Beatrice. Because mine eyes can never have their fill Of looking at my lady's lovely face, I will so fix my gaze That I may become blessed, beholding her. Even as an angel, up at his great height Standing amid the fight, Becometh blessed by only seeing God : — So, though I be a simple earthly wight, Yet none the less I might. Beholding her who is my heart's dear load, Be blessed, and in the spirit soar abroad. Such power abideth in that gracious one ; Albeit felt of none Save of him who, desiring, honors her. VI. Canzone. 1 A Complaint of his Lady''s scorn. Love, since it is thy will that I return 'Neath her usurped control Who is thou know'st how beautiful and proud ; Enhghten thou her heart, so bidding burn Thy flame within her soul That she rejoice not when my cry is loud. Be thou but once endowed With sense of the new peace, and of this fire. And of the scorn wherewith I am despised. And wherefore death is my most fierce desire ; And then thou 'It be apprised Of all. So if thou slay me afterward. Anguish unburthened shall make death less hard. O Lord, thou knowest very certainly That thou didst make me apt To serve thee. But I was not wounded yet, When under heaven I beheld openly The face which thus hath rapt ^ This poem seems probably referable to the time during which Beatrice denied her salutation to Dante. (See the Vita Nuova, at page 34 et seq.) 6 82 Dante Alighieri. My soul. Then all my spirits ran elate Upon her will to wait. And she, the peerless one who o'er all worth Is still her proper beauty's worshipper, Made semblance then to guide them safely forth : And they put faith in her : Till, gathering them within her garment all. She turned their blessed peace to tears and gall. Then I (for I could hear how they complained), As sympathy impelled. Full oft to seek her presence did arise. And mine own soul (which better had refrained) So much my strength upheld That I could steadily behold her eyes. This in thy knowledge lies, Who then didst call me with so mild a face That I hoped solace from my greater load : And when she turned the key on my dark place, Such ruth thy grace bestowed Upon my grief, and in such piteous kind. That I had strength to bear, and was resign'd. For love of the sweet favor's comforting Did I become her thrall ; And still her every movement gladdened me With triumph that I served so sweet a thing : Pleasures and blessings all I set aside, my perfect hope to see : Till her proud contumely — That so mine aim might rest unsatisfied — Covered the beauty of her countenance. So straightway fell into my living side. To slay me, the swift lance : While she rejoiced and watched my bitter end, Only to prove what succor thou wouldst send. I therefore, weary with my love's constraint. To death's deliverance ran. That out of terrible grief I might be brought : For tears had broken me and left me faint Beyond the lot of man. Until each sigh must be my last, I thought. Yet still this longing wrought So much of torment for my soul to bear, That with the pang I swooned and fell to earth. Then, as in trance, 't was whispered at mine ear, How in this constant girth Dante Alighieri. 83 Of anguish, I indeed at length must die : So that I dreaded Love continually. Master, thou knowest now The life which in thy service I have borne : Not that I tell it thee to disallow Control, who still to thy behest am sworn. Yet if through this my vow I remain dead, nor help they will confer. Do thou at least, for God's sake, pardon her. VII. Canzone. He beseeches Death for the Life of Beatrice. Death, since I find not one with whom to grieve, Nor whom this grief of mine may move to tears, Whereso I be or whitherso I turn : Since it is thou who in my soul wilt leave No single joy, but chill'st it with just fears And makest it in fruitless hopes to burn : Since thou. Death, and thou only, canst discern Wealth to my life, or want, at thy free choice : — It is to thee that I lift up my voice. Bowing my face that 's Hke a face just dead. I come to thee, as to one pitying. In grief for that sweet rest which nought can bring Again, if thou but once be entered Into her life whom my heart cherishes Even as the only portal of its peace. Death, how most sweet the peace is that thy grace Can grant to me, and that I pray thee for, Thou easily mayst know by a sure sign, If in mine eyes thou look a little space And read in them the hidden dread they store, — If upon all thou look which proves me thine. Since the fear only maketh me to pine After this sort, — what wilLmine anguish be When her eyes close, of dreadful verity, In whose light is the light of mine own eyes ì But now I know that thou wouldst have my life As hers, and joy'st thee in my fruitless strife. Yet I do think this which I feel implies That soon, when I would die to flee from pain, I shall find none by whom I may be slain. 84 Dante Alighieri Death, if indeed thou smite this gentle one Whose outward worth but tells the intellect How wondrous is the miracle within, — Thou biddest Virtue rise up and begone, Thou dost away with Mercy's best effect, Thou spoil'st the mansion of God's sojourning; Yea, unto nought her beauty thou>dost bring Which is above all other beauties, even In so much as betitteth one whom Heaven Sent upon earth in token of its own. Thou dost break through the perfect trust which hath Been alway her companion in Love's path : The light once darkened which was hers alone, Love needs must say to them he ruleth o'er, *' I have lost the noble banner that I bore." Death, have some pity then for all the ill Which cannot choose but happen if she die, And which will be the sorest ever know^n. Slacken the string, if so it be thy will. That the sharp arrow leave it not, — thereby Sparing her life, which if it flies is flown. O Death, for God's sake, be some pity shown ! Restrain within thyself, even at its height. The cruel wrath which moveth thee to smite Her in whom God hath set so much of grace. Show now some ruth if 't is a thing thou hast ! I seem to see Heaven's gate, that is shut fast. Open, and angels filling all the space About me, — come to fetch her soul whose laud Is sung by saints and angels before God. Song, thou must surely see how fine a thread This is that my last hope is holden by. And what I should be brought to without her. Therefore for thy plain speech and low^lihead Make thou no pause : but go immediately (Knowing thyself for my heart's minister), And with that very meek and piteous air Thou hast, stand up before the face of Death, To wrench away the bar that prisoneth And win unto the place of the good fruit. And if indeed thou shake by thy soft voice Death's mortal purpose, — haste thee and rejoice Our lady with the issue of thy suit. So yet awhile our earthly nights and days Shall keep the blessed spirit that I praise. Dante AligJiieri. 85 Vili. Sonnet. On the <^th of June, 1 290. Upon a day, came Sorrow in to me, Saying, " I 've come to stay with thee a while ; " And I perceived that she had ushered Bile And Pain into my house for company. Wherefore I said, " Go forth — away with thee ! " But like a Greek she answered, full of guile, And went on arguing in an easy style. Then, looking, I saw Love come silently, Habited in black raiment, smooth and new, Having a black hat set upon his hair; And certainly the tears he shed were true. So that I asked, " What ails thee, trifler ?" Answering he said : " A grief to be gone through ; For our own lady 's dying, brother dear." IX. TO CINO DA PISTOIA. Sonnet. He rebukes Cinofor Fickleness. I THOUGHT to be for ever separate. Fair Master Cino, from these rhymes of yours ; Since further from the coast, another course. My vessel now must journey with her freight. ^ Yet still, because I hear men name your state As his whom every lure doth straight beguile, I pray you lend a very little while Unto my voice your ear grown obdurate. The man after this measure amorous. Who still at his own will is bound and loosed. How slightly Love him wounds is lightly known. If on this wise your heart in homage bows, I pray you for God's sake it be disused. So that the deed and the sweet words be one. ^ This might seem to suggest that the present sonnet was written about the same time as the close of the Vita Nuova, and that an allusion may also here be intended to the first conception of Dante's great work. 86 Dante Alighieri. GINO DA PISTOIA TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He answers Dante, co7ifessing his tuisteadfast heart. Dante, since I from my own native place In heavy exile have turned wanderer, Far distant from the purest joy which e'er Had issued from the Fount of joy and grace, I have gone weeping through the world's dull space, And me proud Death, as one too mean, doth spare ; Yet meeting Love, Death's neighbor, I declare That still his arrows hold my heart in chase. Nor from his pitiless aim can I get free, Nor from the hope which comforts my weak will, Though no true aid exists which I could share. One pleasure ever binds and looses me; That so, by one same Beauty lured, I still Delight in many women here and there. X. TO GINO DA PISTOIA. Sonnet. Written in Exile. Because I find not whom to speak withal Anent that lord whose I am as thou art, Behoves that in thine ear I tell some part Of this whereof I gladly would say all. And deem thou nothing else occasional Of my long silence while I kept apart. Except this place, so guilty at the heart That the right has not who will give it stall. Love comes not here to any woman's face, Nor any man here for his sake will sigh. For unto such, " Thou fool ! " were straightway said. Ah ! Master Gino, how the time turns base, And mocks at us, and on our rhymes says " Fie ! " Since truth has been thus thinly harvested. Dante A lighieri. 8 7 GINO DA PISTOIA TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He answers the foregoing Somiet^ and prays Dante, in the name of Beatrice, to continue his great Poem. I KNOW not, Dante, in what refuge dwells The truth, which with all men is out of mind ; For long ago it left this place behind, Till in its stead at last God's thunder swells. Yet if our shifting life most clearly tells That here the truth has no reward assign'd, — 'T was God, remember, taught it to mankind, And even among the fiends preached nothing else. Then, though the kingdoms of the earth be torn, Where'er thou set thy feet, from Truth's control, Yet unto me thy friend this prayer accord : — Beloved, O my brother, sorrow-worn, Even in that lady's name who is thy goal, Sing on till thou redeem thy plighted word ! ^ XL Sonnet. Of Beauty and Duty. Two ladies to the summit of my mind Have clomb, to hold an argument of love. The one has wisdom with her from above. For every noblest virtue well designed : The other, beauty's tempting power refined And the high charm of perfect grace approve : And I, as my sweet Master's will doth move, At feet of both their favors am reclined. Beauty and Duty in my soul keep strife, At question if the heart such course can take And 'twixt two ladies hold its love complete. The fount of gentle speech yields answer meet, That Beauty may be loved for gladness' sake, And Duty in the lofty ends of life. 1 That is, the pledge given at the end of the Vita Nuova. This may perhaps have been written in "the early days of Dante's exile, before his resumption of the interrupted Commedia. Dante Alighieri. XII. Sestina.^ Of the Lady Pietra degli Scrovigni. To the dim light and the large circle of shade I have clomb, and to the whitening of the hills, There where we see no color in the grass. Nathless ni}- longing loses not its green, It has so taken root in the hard stone Which talks and hears as though it were a lady. Utterly frozen is this youthful lady. Even as the snow that lies within the shade; For she is no more moved than is the stone By the sweet season which makes warm the hills And alters them afresh from white to green. Covering their sides again with flow^ers and grass. When on her hair she sets a crown of grass The thought has no more room for other lady ; Because she weaves the yellow wdth the green So well that Love sits down there in the shade, — Love who has shut me in among low hills Faster than between walls of granite-stone; She is more bright than is a precious stone; The wound she gives may not be healed with grass : I therefore have fled far o'er plains and hills For refuge from so dangerous a lady : But from her sunshine nothing can give shade, — Not any hill, nor wall, nor summer-green. A while ago, I saw her dressed in green, — So fair, she might have wakened in a stone This love which I do feel even for her shade ; And therefore, as one woos a graceful lady, I wooed her in a field that was all grass Girdled about with very lofty hills. 1 I have translated this piece both on account of its great and peculiar beauty, and also because it affords an example of a form of composition wliich I have met -with in no Italian writer before Dante's time, though it is not uncommon among the Pro- vencal poets (see Dante, Z>^ Vidg. Etoq.). I have headed it wdth the name of a Paduan lady, to whom it is surmised by some to have been addressed during Dante's exile : but this must be looked upon' as a rather doubtful conjecture, and 1 have adopted the name chiefly to mark it at once as not referring to Beatrice. Dante Alighieri. 89 Yet shall the streams turn back and climb the hills Before Love's flame in this damp wood and green Burn, as it burns within a youthful lady, For my sake, who would sleep away in stone My life, or feed like beasts upon the grass, Only to see her garments cast a shade. How dark soe'er the hills throw out their shade, Under her summer-green the beautiful lady Covers it, like a stone covered in grass. XIII. Sonnet. 1 A Ctirse for a fruitless Love. My curse be on the day when first I saw The brightness in those treacherous eyes of thine, — The hour when from my heart thou cam'st to draw My soul away, that both might fail and pine : My curse be on the skill that smooth'd each line Of my vain songs, — the music and just law Of art, by which it was my dear design That the whole world should yield thee love and awe Yea, let me curse mine own obduracy, Which firmly holds what doth itself confound — To wit, thy fair perverted face of scorn : For whose sake Love is oftentimes forsworn So that men mock at him : but most at me Who would hold fortune's wheel and turn it round. ^ I have separated this sonnet from the pieces bearing on the Vita Nuova, as it is naturally repugnant to connect it with Beatrice. 1 cannot, however, but think it possible that it may have been the bitter fruit of some bitterest moment in those hours when Dante endured her scorn. GUIDO CAVALCANTI. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He interprets Dante'' s Drea?n, related in the first Sonnet of the Vita Nuova. ^ Unto my thinking, thou beheld'st all worth. All joy, as much of good as man may know, If thou wert in his power who here below Is honor's righteous lord throughout this earth. Where evil dies, even there he has his birth, Whose justice out of pity's self doth grow. Softly to sleeping persons he will go. And, with no pain to them, their hearts draw forth. Thy heart he took, as knowing well, alas ! That Death had claimed thy lady for a prey : In fear whereof, he fed her with thy heart. But when he seemed in sorrow to depart, Sweet was thy dream ; for by that sign, I say, Surely the opposite shall come to pass.^ 1 See the Vita Nuova, at page 28. 2 This may refer to the belief that, towards morning, dreams go by contraries. Guido Cavalcanti. II. Sonnet. To his Lady Joan^ of Florence. Flowers hast thou in thyself, and foliage, And what is good, and what is glad to see ; The sun is not so bright as thy visage ; All is stark nought when one hath looked on thee There is not such a beautiful personage Anywhere on the green earth verily ; If one fear love, thy bearing sweet and sage Comforteth him, and no more fear hath he. Thy lady friends and maidens ministering Are all, for love of thee, much to my taste : And much I pray them that in everything They honor thee even as thou meritest. And have thee in their gentle harboring : Because among them all thou art the best. III. Sonnet. He compares all Things with his Lady, and finds the7n ivanting. Beauty in woman ; the high will's decree : Fair knighthood armed for manly exercise ; The pleasant song of birds ; love's soft replies ; The strength of rapid ships upon the sea; The serene air when light begins to be ; The white snow, without wind that falls and lies ; Fields of all flower ; the place where waters rise ; Silver and gold ; azure in jewellery : — Weighed against these, the sweet and quiet worth Which my dear lady cherishes at heart Might seem a little matter to be shown ; Being truly, over these, as much apart As the whole heaven is greater than this earth. All good to kindred natures cleaveth soon. 92 Guido Cavalcanti. IV. Sonnet. A Rapture concerning his Lady. Who is she coming, whom all gaze upon, Who makes the air all tremulous with light, And at whose side is Love himself ì that none Dare speak, but each man's sighs are infinite. Ah me ! how she looks round from left to right, Let Love discourse : I may not speak thereon. Lady she seems of such high benison As makes all others graceless in men's sight. The honor which is hers cannot be said ; To whom are subject all things virtuous, While all things beauteous own her deity. Ne'er was the mind of man so nobly led, Nor yet was such redemption granted us That we should ever know her perfectly. V. Ballata. Of his Lady among other Ladies. With other women I beheld my love ; — Not that the rest were women to mine eyes. Who only as her shadows seemed to move. I do not praise her more than with the truth, Nor blame I these if it be rightly read. But while I speak, a thought I may not soothe Says to my senses : '' Soon shall ye be dead, If for my sake your tears ye will not shed." And then the eyes yield passage, at that thought, To the heart's weeping, which forgets her not. Guido Orlandi. 93 VI. TO GUIDO ORLANDI. . . Sonnet. Of a consecrated Image reseitibling his Lady. Guido, an image of my lady dwells At San Michele in Orto, consecrate And duly worshipped. Fair in holy state She listens to the tale each sinner tells : And among them that come to her, who ails The most, on him the most doth blessing wait. She bids the fiend men's bodies abdicate ; Over the curse of blindness she prevails. And heals sick languors in the public squares. A multitude adores her reverently : Before her face two burning tapers are ; Her voice is uttered upon paths afar. Yet through the Lesser Brethren's ^ jealousy She is named idol ; not being one of theirs. GUIDO ORLANDI TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. Madrigal. In answer to the foregoing Sonnet. If thou hadst offered, friend, to blessed Mary A pious voluntary, As thus : " Fair rose, in holy garden set : " Thou then hadst found a true similitude : Because all truth and good Are hers, who was the mansion and the gate Wherein abode our High Salvation, Conceived in her, a Son, Even by the angel's greeting whom she met. Be thou assured that if one cry to her. Confessing, " I did err," For death she gives him life ; for she is great. * The Franciscans, in profession of deeper poverty and humility than belonged to other Orders, called themselves Fratres tninores. 94 Guido Cavalca7iti. Ah ! how mayst thou be counselled to implead With God thine own misdeed, And not another's ? Ponder what thou art ; And humbly lay to heart That Publican who wept his proper need. The Lesser Brethren cherish the divine Scripture and church-doctrine ; Being appointed keepers of the faith Whose preaching succoreth : For what they preach is our best medicine. VII. Sonnet. Of the Eyes of a certain Mandetta, of Thoulouse^ which resemble those of his Lady Joan, of Florence. A CERTAIN youthful lady in Thoulouse, Gentle and fair, of cheerful modesty, Is in her eyes, with such exact degree, Of likeness unto mine own lady, whose I am, that through the heart she doth abuse The soul to sweet desire. It goes from me To her; yet, fearing, saith not who is she That of a truth its essence thus subdues. This lady looks on it with the sweet eyes Whose glance did erst the wounds of Love anoint Through its true lady's eyes which are as they. Then to the heart returns it, full of sighs, Wounded to death by a sharp arrow's point Wherewith this lady speeds it on its way. VIII. Ballata. He reveals, in a Dialogue, his i?icreasing Love for Mandetta, Being in thought of love, I chanced to see Two youthful damozels. One sang : " Our hfe inhales All love continually." Guido Cavalcanti. 95 Their aspect was so utterly serene, So courteous, of such quiet nobleness, That I said to them : "Yours, I may well ween, 'Tis of all virtue to unlock the place. Ah ! damozels, do not account him base Whom thus his wound subdues : Since I was at Thoulouse, My heart is dead in me." They turned their eyes upon me in so much As to perceive how wounded was my heart; While, of the spirits born of tears, one such Had been begotten through the constant smart. Then seeing me, abashed, to turn apart, One of them said, and laugh'd : " Love, look you, by his craft Holds this man thoroughly." But with grave sweetness, after a brief while, She who at first had laughed on me replied, Saying : " This lady, who by Love's great guile Her countenance in thy heart has glorified, Look'd thee so deep within the eyes. Love sigh'd And was awakened there. If it seem ill to bear, In him thy hope must be." The second piteous maiden, of all ruth. Fashioned for sport in Love's own image, said : "This stroke, whereof thy heart bears trace in sooth, From eyes of too much puissance was shed. Whence in thy heart such brightness entered, Thou mayst not look thereon. Say, of those eyes that shone Canst thou remember thee ? " Then said I, yielding answer therewithal Unto this virgin's difficult behest: " A lady of Thoulouse, whom Love doth call Mandetta, sweetly kirtled and enlac'd, I do remember to my sore unrest. Yea, by her eyes indeed My life has been decreed To death inevitably." 96 Dante Alighieri. Go, Ballad, to the city, even Thoulouse, And softly entering the Dauràde,i look round And softly call, that so there may be found Some lady who for complaisance may choose To show thee her w^io can my life confuse. And if she yield thee way, Lift thou thy voice and say : " For grace I come to thee." DANTE ALIGHIERI TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. X^ Sonnet. He i?nagÌ7ies a pleasa7it Voyage for Guido^ Lapo Gianni^ and hiuiself, with their three Ladies. Guido, I wish that Lapo, thou, and I, Could be by spells conveyed, as it were now, Upon a barque, with all the winds that blow Across all seas at our good will to hie. So no mischance nor temper of the sky Should mar our course with spite or cruel slip, But we, observing old companionship, To be companions still should long thereby. And Lady Joan, and Lady Beatrice, And her the thirtieth on my roll,^ with us Should our good wizard set, o'er seas to move And not to talk of anything but love : And they three ever to be w^ell at ease. As we should be, I think, if this were thus. * The ancient church of the Dauràde still exists at Thoiilouse. It was so called from the golden effect of the mosaics adorning it. 2 That is, his list of the sixty most beautiful ladies of Florence, referred to in the Vita Nuova ; among whom Lapo Gianni's lady, Lagia, would seem to have stood thirtieth. Giudo Cavalcaìiii. 97 IX. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. Guido answers the foregoing Sonnet, speaking with shame of his changed Love. If I were still that man, worthy to love, Of whom I have but the remembrance now. Or if the lady bore another brow, To hear this thing might bring me joy thereof. But thou, who in Love's proper court dost move, Even there where hope is born of grace, — see how My very soul within me is brought low : For a swift archer, whom his feats approve. Now bends the bow, which Love to him did yield, In such mere sport against me, it would seem As though he held his lordship for a jest, Then hear the marvel which is sorriest : — My sorely wounded soul forgiveth him. Yet knows that in his act her strength is kill'd. X. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He reports^ in a feigned Vision, the successful Issue of Lapo GiannVs Love. Dante, a sigh that rose from the heart's core Assailed me, while I slumbered, suddenly : So that I woke o' the instant, fearing sore Lest it came thither in Love's company: Till, turning, I beheld the servitor Of Lady Lagia : " Help me," so said he, " O help me. Pity." Though he said no more, So much of Pity's essence entered me, That I was ware of Love, those shafts he wields A-whetting, and preferred the mourner's quest To him, who straightway answered on this wise: " Go tell my servant that the lady yields. And that I hold her now at his behest : If he believe not, let him note her eyes." 7 98 Guido Cavalca7iti. XI. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He mistrusts the Love of Lapo Gianni. I PRAY thee, Dante, shouldst thou meet with Love In any place where Lapo then may be, That there thou fail not to mark heedfully If Love with lover's name that man approve ; If to our Master's will his lady move Aright, and if himself show fealty : For ofttimes, by ill custom, ye may see This sort profess the semblance of true love. Thou know'st that in the court where Love holds sway A law subsists, that no man who is vile Can service yield to a lost woman there. If suffering aught avail the sufferer, Thou straightway shalt discern our lofty style, Which needs the badge of honor must display. XII. Sonnet. On the Detection of a false Friend}- Love and the Lady Lagia, Guido and I, Unto a certain lord are bounden all, Who has released us — know ye from whose thrall? Yet I '11 not speak, but let the matter die : Since now these three no more are held thereby, Who in such homage at his feet did fall That I myself was not more whimsical. In him conceiving godship from on high. Let Love be thanked the first, who first discern'd The truth ; and that wise lady afterward. Who in fit time took back her heart again ; And Guido next, from worship wholly turn'd ; And I, as he. But if ye have not heard, I shall not tell how much I loved him then. * I should think, from the mention of Lady Lagia, that this might refer again to Lapo Gianni, who seems (one knows not why) to have fallen into disgrace with his friends. The Guido mentioned is probably Guido Orlandi. Guido Cavalcanti. 99 XIII. Sonnet. He speaks of a third Love of his. O THOU that often hast within thine eyes A Love who holds three shafts, — know thou from me That this my sonnet would commend to thee (Come from afar) a soul in heavy sighs, Which even by Love's sharp arrow wounded lies. Twice did the Syrian archer shoot, and he Now bends his bow the third time, cunningly, That, thou being here, he wound me in no wise. Because the soul would quicken at the core Thereby, which now is near to utter death, From those two shafts, a triple wound that yield. The first gives pleasure, yet disquieteth ; And with the second is the longing for The mighty gladness by the third fulfill'd. XIV. Ballata. Of a continual Death in Love. Though thou, indeed, hast quite forgotten ruth, Its steadfast truth my heart abandons not ; But still its thought yields service in good part To that hard heart in thee. Alas ! who hears believes not I am so. Yet who can know ? of very surety, none. From Love is won a spirit, in some wise, Which dies perpetually : And, when at length in that strange ecstasy The heavy sigh will start. There rains upon my heart A love so pure and fine, That I say : " Lady, I am wholly thine." 1 ^ I may take this opportunity of mentioning that, in even,' case where an abrupt change of metre occurs in one of my translations, it is so also in the original poem. lOO Guido Cavalcanti. XV. Sonnet. To a Friend who does 7iot pity his Love. If I entreat this lady that all grace Seem not unto her heart an enemy, Foolish and evil thou declarest me, And desperate in idle stubbornness. Whence is such cruel judgment thine, whose face, To him that looks thereon, professeth thee Faithful, and wise, and of all courtesy, And made after the way of gentleness ? Alas ! my soul within my heart doth find Sighs, and its grief by weeping doth enhance, That, drowned in bitter tears, those sighs depart ^ And then there seems a presence in the mind, ^ As of a lady's thoughtful countenance \ Come to behold the death of the poor heart. XVI. Ballata. He perceives that his highest Love is gotte frojn him. Through this my strong and new misaventure, All now is lost to me Which most was sweet in Love's supremacy. So much of life is dead in its control, That she, my pleasant lady of all grace, Is gone out of the devastated soul : I see her not, nor do I know her place ; Nor even enough of virtue with me stays To understand, ah me ! The flower of her exceeding purity. Because there comes — to kill that gentle thought With saying that I shall not see her more — This constant pain wherewith I am distraught. Which is a burning torment very sore. Wherein I know not whom I should implore. Thrice thanked the Master be Who turns the grinding wheel of misery ! Guido Ca^jdkanti. loi Full of great anguish in a place of fear The spirit of my heart lies sorrowing, Through Fortune's bitter craft. She lured it here, And gave it o'er to Death, and barbed the sting; She wrought that hope which was a treacherous thing; In Time, which dies from me, She made me lose mine hour of ecstasy. For you, perturbed and fearful words of mine, Whither yourselves may please, even thither go ; But always burthened with shame's troublous sign, And on my lady's name still calling low. For me, I must abide in such deep woe That all who look shall see Death's shadow on my face assuredly. XVII. Sonnet. Of his Pain from a 72 ew Love. Why from the danger did mine eyes not start, — Why not become even blind, — ere through my sight Within my soul thou ever couldst alight To say : " Dost thou not hear me in thy heart ? " New torment then, the old torment's counterpart. Filled me at once with such a sore affright. That, Lady, lady (I said), destroy not quite Mine eyes and me ! O help us where thou art ! Thou hast so left mine eyes, that love is fain — Even Love himself — with pity uncontroll'd To bend above them, weeping for their loss Saying : " If any man feel heavy pain, ^^ VlV^^'w i^iiig . li dny viid.11 icci iiCd.\/y pain, i This man's more painful heart let him beh£rid:VU Death has it in her hand, cut like^alàroàSìr' G'jtido. Al/ani. GUIDO ORLANDI TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. Prolonged Sonnet. He finds fault with the Conceits of the foregoing Sonnet. Friend, well I know thou knowest well to bear Thy sword's-point, that it pierce the close-locked mail And like a bird to flit from perch to pale : And out of difficult ways to find the air : Largely to take and generously to share : Thrice to secure advantage : to regale Greatly the great, and over lands prevail. In all thou art, one only fault is there : For still among the wise of wit thou say'st That Love himself doth weep for thine estate ; And yet, no eyes no tears : lo now, thy whim ! Soft, rather say : This is not held in haste ; But bitter are the hours and passionate. To him that loves, and love is not for him. For me (by usage strengthened to forbear From carnal love), I fall not in such snare. GIANNI ALFANI TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. Sonnet. 1 On the part of a Lady of Pisa. Guido, that Gianni who, a day agone. Sought thee, now greets thee (ay and thou mayst laugh!) On that same Pisan beauty's sweet behalf Who can deal love-wounds even as thou hast done. She asked me whether thy good-will were prone For service unto Love who troubles her. If she to thee in suchwise should repair That, save by him and Gualtier, 't were not known : — For thus her kindred of ill augury Should lack the means wherefrom there might be plann'd Worse harm than lying speech that smites afar. I told her that thou hast continually A goodly sheaf of arrows to thy hand, Which well should stead her in such gentle war. ^ From a passage in Ubaldini's Glossary (1640) to the " Documenti d' Amore " of Francesco Barberino (1300), I judge that Guido answered the above sonnet, and that Alfani made a rejoinder, from which a scrap there printed appears to be taken. The whole piece existed, in Ubaldini's time, among the Strozzi MSS. Guido Cavalcanti. 103 BERNARDO DA BOLOGNA TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. Sonnet. He writes to Guido ^ telling hhn of the Love which a certain Pinella showed on seeing him. Unto that lowly lovely maid, I wis, So poignant in the heart was thy salute. That she changed countenance, remaining mute. Wherefore I asked : " Pinella, how is this ? Hast heard of Guido ? know'st thou who he is ? " She answered, "• Yea ; " then paused, irresolute ; But I saw well how the love-wounds acute Were widened, and the star which Love calls his Filled her with gentle brightness perfectly. " But, friend, an 't please thee, I would have it told," She said, " how I am known to him through thee. Yet since, scarce seen, I knew his name of old, — Even as the riddle is read, so must it be. Oh ! send him love of mine a thousand-fold ! " XVIII. TO BERNARDO DA BOLOGNA. -^ Sonnet. Guido answers^ conwiending Pinella, and saying that the Love he can offer her is already shared by many noble Ladies. The fountain-head that is so bright to see Gains as it runs in virtue and in sheen. Friend Bernard ; and for her who spoke with thee, Even such the flow of her young life has been : So that when Love discourses secretly Of things the fairest he has ever seen, He says there is no fairer thing than she, A lowdy maid as lovely as a queen. And for that I am troubled, thinking of That sigh wherein I burn upon the waves Which drift her heart, — poor barque, so ill-bestead ! — Unto Pinella a great river of love I send, that 's full of sirens, and whose slaves Are beautiful and richly habited. I04 Guido Cavalcaiiti. DINO COMPAGNI TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. SOXXET. He reproves Guido for Ids Arrogance in Love. No man may mount upon a golden stair, Guido my master, to Love's palace-sill : No key of gold will fit the lock that 's there, Nor heart there enter without pure good-will. Not if he miss one courteous duty, dare A lover hope he should his love fulfil ; But to his lady must make meek repair. Reaping with husbandry her favors still. And thou but know'st of Love (I think) his name : Youth holds thy reason in extremities : Only on thine own face thou turn'st thine eyes ; Fairer than Absalom's account'st the same ; And think'st, as rosy moths are drawn by flame, To draw the women from their balconies.^ XIX. TO GUIDO ORLANDI. Sonnet. In praise of Guido Orlandi' s Lady. A LADY in whom love is manifest — That love which perfect honor doth adorn — Hath ta'en the living heart out of thy breast. Which in her keeping to new life is born : For there by such sweet power it is possest As even is felt of Indian unicorn : ^ And all its virtue now, with fierce unrest, Unto thy soul makes difficult return. For this thy lady is virtue's minister In suchwise that no fault there is to show, Save that God made her mortal on this ground. And even herein His wisdom shall be found : For only thus our intellect could know That heavenly beauty which resembles her. 1 It is curious to find these poets perpetually ratine; one another for the want of constancy in love. Guido is rebuked, as above," by Dino Compagni ; Gino da Pistoia by Dante (p. 85); and Dante by Guido (p. 105)^ who formerly, as we have seen (p. 98), had confided to him his doubts of Lapo Gianni. 2 In old representations, the unicorn is often seen with his head in a virgin's lap. Guido Cavalcanti. 105 GUIDO ORLANDI TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. Sonnet. He answers the foregoing So7inet, declaring hÌ7n self his Ladys Champion. To sound of trumpet rather than of horn, I in Love's name would hold a battle-play Of gentlemen in arms on Easter Day ; And, sailing without oar or wind, be borne Unto my joyful beauty ; all that morn To ride round her, in her cause seeking fray Of arms with all but thee, friend, who dost say The truth of her, and whom all truths adorn. And still I pray Our Lady's grace above, Most reverently, that she whom my thoughts bear In sweet remembrance own her Lord supreme. Holding her honor dear, as doth behove, — In God who therewithal sustaineth her Let her abide, and not depart from Him. XX. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He rebukes Dante for his way of Life ^ after the Death of Beatrice.^ I COME to thee by daytime constantly, But in thy thoughts too much of baseness find : Greatly it grieves me for thy gentle mind, And for thy many virtues gone from thee. It was thy wont to shun much company, Unto all sorry concourse ill inclin'd : And still thy speech of me, heartfelt and kind, Had made me treasure up thy poetry. But now I dare not, for thine abject life. Make manifest that I approve thy rhymes ; Nor come I in such sort that thou mayst know. Ah ! prithee read this sonnet many times : So shall that evil one who bred this strife Be thrust from thy dishonored soul and go. 1 This interesting sonnet must refer to the same period of Dante's life regarding which he has made Beatrice address him in words of noble reproach when he meets her in Eden. {Fitrg;. C. xxx.) io6 Guido Cavalcanti. XXI. Ballata. Concerning a Shepherd-maid. Within a copse I met a shepherd-maid, More fair, I said, than any star to see. She came with waving tresses pale and bright, With rosy cheer, and loving eyes of flame, Guiding the lambs beneath her wand aright. Her naked feet still had the dews on them, As, singing like a lover, so she came ; Joyful, and fashioned for all ecstasy. I greeted her at once, and question made What escort had she through the woods in spring ? But with soft accents she replied and said That she was all alone there, wandering ; Moreover : " Do you know, when the birds sing. My heart's desire is for a mate," said she. While she was telling me this wish of hers. The birds were all in song throughout the wood. " Even now then," said my thought, " the time recurs, With mine own longing to assuage her mood." And so, in her sweet favor's name, I sued That she would kiss there and embrace with me. She took my hand to her with amorous will, And answered that she gave me all her heart. And drew me where the leaf is fresh and still. Where spring the wood-flowers in the shade apart. And on that day, by Joy's enchanted art. There Love in very presence seemed to be.^ ^ The glossary to Barberino, already mentioned, refers to the existence, among the Strozzi MSS., of a poem by Lapo di "Farinata degli Uberti, \\TÌtten in answer to the above ballata of Cavalcanti. As this respondent was no other than Gnido's brother- in-law, one feels curious to know what he said to the peccadilloes of his sister's hus- band. But I fear the poem cannot yet have been published, as I have sought for it in vain at all my printed sources of information. Guido Cavalcanti. 107 XXII. Sonnet. Of ail ill-favored Lady. Just look, Manetto, at that wry-mouthed minx ; Merely take notice what a wretch it is ; How well contrived in her deformities, How beastly favored when she scowls and blinks. Why, with a hood on (if one only thinks) Or mufitie of prim veils and scapularies, — And set together, on a day like this. Some pretty lady with the odious sphinx ; — Why, then thy sins could hardly have such weight, Nor thou be so subdued from Love's attack. Nor so possessed in Melancholy's sway, But that perforce thy peril must be great Of laughing till the very heart-strings crack : Either thou 'dst die, or thou must run away. XXIII. TO POPE BONIFACE VIII. Sonnet. After the Pope's Interdict., when the great Houses were leaving Florence. Nero, thus much for tidings in thine ear. They of the Buondelmonti quake with dread, Nor by all Florence may be comforted, Noting in thee the lion's ravenous cheer ; Who more than any dragon giv'st them fear, In ancient evil stubbornly array 'd ; Neither by bridge nor bulwark to be stay'd, But only by King Pharaoh's sepulchre. O in what monstrous sin dost thou engage, — All these which are of loftiest blood to drive Away, that none dare pause but all take wing ! Yet sooth it is, thou might'st redeem the pledge Even yet, and save thy naked soul alive, Wert thou but patient in the bargaining. io8 Giudo Cavalcanti. XXIV. Ballata. In Exile at Sarzana. Because I think not ever to return, Ballad, to Tuscany, — Go therefore thou for me Straight to my lady's face, Who, of her noble grace, Shall show thee courtesy. Thou seekest her in charge of many sighs. Full of much grief and of exceeding fear. But have good heed thou come not to the eyes Of such as are sworn foes to gentle cheer : For, certes, if this thing should chance, — from her Thou then couldst only look For scorn, and such rebuke As needs must bring me pain ; — Yea, after death again" Tears and fresh agony. Surely thou knowest, Ballad, how that Death Assails me, till my life is almost sped : Thou knowest how my heart still travaileth Through the sore pangs which in my soul are bred : My body being now so nearly dead. It cannot suffer more. Then, going, I implore That this my soul thou take (Nay, do so for my sake) When my heart sets it free. Ah ! Ballad, unto thy dear offices I do commend my soul, thus trembling; That thou mayst lead it, for pure piteousness. Even to that lady's presence whom I sing. Ah ! Ballad, say thou to her, sorrowing, Whereso thou meet her then : — " This thy poor handmaiden Is come, nor will be gone. Being parted now from one Who served Love painfully."' Guido Cavalcanti. 109 Thou also, thou bewildered voice and weak, That goest forth in tears from my grieved heart, Shalt, with my soul and with this ballad, speak Of my dead mind, when thou dost hence depart, Unto that lady (piteous as thou art !) Who is so calm and bright, It shall be deep delight To feel her presence there. And thou, Soul, worship her Still in her purity. XXV. Canzone.1 A Song of Fortune. Lo ! I am she who makes the wheel to turn; Lo ! I am she who gives and takes away ; Blamed idly, day by day. In all mine acts by you, ye humankind. For whoso smites his visage and doth mourn, What time he renders back my gifts to me. Learns then that I decree No state which mine own arrows may not find. Who clomb must fall : — this bear ye well in mind, Nor say, because he fell, I did him wrong. • Yet mine is a vain song: For truly ye may find out wisdom when King Arthur's resting-place is found of men. Ye make great marvel and astonishment What time ye see the sluggard lifted up And the just man to drop. And ye complain on God and on my sway. O humankind, ye sin in your complaint : For He, that Lord who made the world to live. Lets me not take or give By mine own act, but as He wills I may. Yet is the mind of man so castaway. That it discerns not the supreme behest. Alas ! ye wretchedest, And chide ye at God also ? Shall not He Judge between good and evil righteously ? ^ This and the three following Canzoni are only to be found in the later collections of Guido Cavalcanti's poems. I have included them on account of their interest, if really his, and especially for the beauty of the last among them ; but must confess to some doubts of their authenticity. no Gtiido Cavalcanti. Ah ! had ye knowledge how God evermore, With agonies of soul and grievous heats, As on an anvil beats On them that in this earth hold high estate, — Ye would choose little rather than much store, And solitude than spacious palaces ; Such is the sore disease Of anguish that on all their days doth wait. Behold if they be not unfortunate, When oft the father dares not trust the son ! wealth, with thee is won A worm to gnaw for ever on his soul Whose abject life is laid in thy control ! If also ye take note what piteous death They ofttimes make, whose hoards were manifold, Who cities had and gold And multitudes of men beneath their hand ; Then he among you that most angereth Shall bless me, saying, "Lo ! I worship thee That I was not as he Whose death is thus accurst throughout the land." But now your living souls are held in band Of avarice, shutting you from the true light Which shows how sad and slight Are this world's treasured riches and array That still change hands a hundred times a-day. For me, — could env}'- enter in my sphere, Which of all human taint is clean and quit, — 1 well might harbor it When I behold the peasant at his toil. Guiding his team, untroubled, free from fear, He leaves his perfect furrow as he goes, And gives his field repose From thorns and tares and weeds that vex the soil : Thereto he labors, and without turmoil Intrusts his work to God, content if so Such guerdon from it grow That in that year his family shall live : Nor care nor thought to other things will give. But now ye may no more have speech of me. For this mine office craves continual use : Ye therefore deeply muse Upon those things which ye have heard the while : Yea, and even yet remember heedfully Guido Cavalcanti. 1 1 How this my wheel a motion hath so fleet, That in an eyehd's beat Him whom it raised it maketh low and vile. None was, nor is, nor shall be of such guile, Who could, or can, or shall, I say, at length Prevail against my strength. ^ But still those men that are my questioners In bitter torment own their hearts perverse. Song, that wast made to carry high intent Dissembled in the garb of humbleness, — With fair and open face To Master Thomas let thy course be bent. Say that a great thing scarcely may be pent In little room : yet always pray that he Commend us, thee and me. To them that are more apt in lofty speech : For truly one must learn ere he can teach. XXVI. Canzone. A Song against Poverty. POVERTY, by thee the soul is wrapp'd With hate, with envy, dolefulness, and doubt. Even so be thou cast out. And everi so he that speaks thee otherwise. 1 name thee now, because my mood is apt To curse thee, bride of every lost estate, Through whom are desolate On earth all honorable things and wise. Within thy power each blest condition dies : By thee, men's minds with sore mistrust are made Fantastic and afraid : — Thou, hated worse than Death, by just accord, And with the loathing of all hearts abhorr'd. Yea, rightly art thou hated worse than Death, For he at length is longe,d for in the breast. But not with thee, wild beast. Was ever aught found beautiful or good. For life is all that man can lose by death. Not fame and the fair summits of applause; His glory shall not pause. But live in men's perpetual gratitude. While he who on thy naked sill has stood, 112 Guido Cavalca72ti. Though of great heart and worthy everso, He shall be counted low. Then let the man thou troublest never hope To spread his wings in any lofty scope. Hereby my mind is laden with a fear, And I will take some thought to shelter me. For this I plainly see : — Through thee, to fraud the honest man is led ; To tyranny the just lord turneth here, And the magnanimous soul to avarice. Of every bitter vice Thou, to my thinking, art the fount and head ; From thee no light in any wise is shed, Who bringest to the paths of dusky hell. I therefore see full well. That death, the dungeon, sickness, and old age, Weiofhed aofainst thee, are blessed heritage. And what though many a goodly hypocrite. Lifting to thee his veritable prayer. Call God to witness there How this thy burden moved not Him to wrath. Why, who may call (of them that muse aright) Him poor, who of the whole can say, 'T is Mine ? Methinks I well divine That want, to such, should seem an easy path. God, who made all things, all things had and hath ; Nor any tongue may say that He was poor, What while He did endure For man's best succor among men to dwell : Since to have all, with Him, was possible. Song, thou shalt wend upon thy journey now : And, if thou meet with folk who rail at thee, Saying that poverty Is not even sharper than thy words allow, — Unto such brawlers briefly answer thou, To tell them they are hypocrites ; and then Say mildly, once again, That I, who am nearly in a beggar's case, Might not presume to sing my proper praise. Guido Cavalcanti. XXVII. Canzone. He lajuents the Presiiviption and Incontinence of his Youth, The devastating flame of that fierce plague, The foe of virtue, fed with others' peace More than itself foresees, Being still shut in to gnaw its own desire; Its strength not weakened, nor its hues more vague, For all the benison that virtue sheds, But which for ever spreads To be a living curse that shall not tire : Or yet again, that other idle fire Which flickers with all change as winds may please : One whichsoe'er of these At length has hidden the true path from me Which twice man may not see. And quenched the intelligence of joy, till now All solace but abides in perfect woe. Alas ! the more my painful spirit grieves, The more confused with miserable strife Is that delicious life Which sighing it recalls perpetually : But its worst anguish, whence it still receives More pain than death, is sent, to yield the sting Of perfect suffering, By him who is my lord and governs me ; Who holds all gracious truth in fealty. Being nursed in those four sisters' fond caress Through whom comes happiness. He now has left me ; and I draw my breath Wound in the arms of Death, Desirous of her : she is cried upon In all the prayers my heart puts up alone. How fierce aforetime and how absolute That wheel of flame which turned within my head. May never quite be said. Because there are not words to speak the whole. It slew my hope whereof I lack the fruit, And stung the blood within my living flesh To be an intricate mesh Of pain beyond endurance or control ; Withdrawing me from God. who gave my soul 8 1 14 Guido Cavalcanti. To know the sign where honor has its seat From honor's counterfeit. So in its longing my heart finds not hope, Nor knows what door to ope ; Since, parting me from God, this foe took thought To shut those paths wherein He may be sought. My second enemy, thrice armed in guile. As wise and cunning to mine overthrow As her smooth face doth show, With yet more shameless strength holds mastery. My spirit, naked of its light and vile. Is lit by her with her own deadly gleam. Which makes all anguish seem As nothing to her scourges that I see. O thou the body of grace, abide with me As thou wast once in the once joyful time ; And though thou hate my crime. Fill not my life with torture to the end ; But in thy mercy, bend My steps, and for thine honor, back again; Till, finding joy through thee, I bless my pain. Since that first frantic devil without faith Fell, in thy name, upon the stairs that mount Unto the limpid fount Of thine intelligence, — withhold not now Thy grace, nor spare my second foe from death. For lo ! on this my soul has set her trust ; And failing this, thou must Prove false to truth and honor, seest thou ! Then, saving light and throne of strength, allow My prayer, and vanquish both my foes at last ; That so I be not cast Into that woe wherein I fear to end. Yet if it is ordain'd That I must die ere this be perfected, — Ah ! yield me comfort after I am dead. Ye unadorned words obscure of sense. With weeping and with sighing go from me, And bear mine agony (Not to be told by words, being too intense) To His intelligence Who moved by virtue shall fulfil my breath In human life or compensating death. Guido Cavalcanti, 115 XXVIII. Canzone. A Dispute with Death. " O SLUGGISH, hard, ingrate, what doest thou ? Poor sinner, folded round with heavy sin, Whose life to find out joy alone is bent. I call thee, and thou falFst to deafness now ; And, deeming that my path whereby to win Thy seat is lost, there sitt'st thee down content, And hold'st me to thy will subservient. But I into thy heart have crept disguised : Among thy senses and thy sins I went. By roads thou didst not guess, unrecognized. Tears will not now sufiice to bid me go. Nor countenance abased, nor words of woe." Now, when I heard the sudden dreadful voice Wake thus within to cruel utterance. Whereby the very heart of hearts did fail, My spirit might not any more rejoice, But fell from its courageous pride at once, And turned to fly, where flight may not avail. Then slowly 'gan some strength to re-inhale The trembling life which heard that whisper speak, And had conceived the sense with sore travail ; Till in the mouth it murmured, very weak, Saying : " Youth, wealth, and beauty, these have I : O Death ! remit thy claim, — I would not die." Small sign of pity in that aspect dwells , Which then had scattered all my life abroad Till there was comfort with no single sense : And yet almost in piteous syllables. When I had ceased to speak, this answer flow'd : " Behold what path is spread before thee hence ; Thy life has all but a day's permanence. And is it for the sake of youth there seems In loss of human years such sore offence .'* Nay, look unto the end of youthful dreams. What present glory does thy hope possess, That shall not yield ashes and bitterness ? " 1 1 6 Guido Cavalcanti. But, when I looked on Death made visible, From my heart's sojourn brought before mine eyes, And holding in her hand my grievous sin, I seemed to see my countenance, that fell. Shake like a shadow : my heart uttered cries, And my soul wept the curse that lay therein. Then Death : "Thus much thine urgent prayer shall win I grant thee the brief interval of youth At natural pity's strong soliciting." And I (because I knew that moment's ruth But left my life to groan for a frail space) Fell in the dust upon my weeping face. So, when she saw me thus abashed and dumb, In loftier words she weighed her argument. That new and strange it was to hear her speak Saying : •' The path thy fears withhold thee from Is thy best path. To folly be not shent, Nor shrink from me because thy flesh is weak. Thou seest how man is sore confused, and eke How ruinous Chance makes havoc of his life, And grief is in the joys that he doth seek ; Nor ever pauses the perpetual strife 'Twixt fear and rage ; until beneath the sun His perfect anguish be fulfilled and done." " O Death ! thou art so dark and difficult, That never human creature might attain By his own will to pierce thy secret sense ; Because, foreshadowing thy dread result, He may not put his trust in heart or brain. Nor power avails him, nor intelligence. Behold how cruelly thou takest hence These forms so beautiful and dignified. And chain'st them in thy shadow chill and dense, And forcest them in narrow graves to hide ; With pitiless hate subduing still to thee The strength of man and woman's dehcacy." " Not for thy fear the less I come at last, For this thy tremor, for thy painful sweat. Take therefore thought to leave (for lo ! I call) Kinsfolk and comrades, all thou didst hold fast, — Thy father and thy mother, — to forget All these thy brethren, sisters, children, all. Cast sight and hearing from thee ; let hope fall ; Guido Cavalcanti., WJ Leave every sense and thy whole intellect, These things wherein thy life made festival : For I have wrought thee to such strange effect That thou hast no more power to dwell with these As living man. Let pass thy soul in peace." Yea, Lord. O thou, the Builder of the spheres, Who, making me, didst shape me, of thy grace, In thine own image and high counterpart; Do thou subdue my spirit, long perverse. To weep within thy will a certain space, Ere yet thy thunder come to rive my heart. Set in my hand some sign of what thou art. Lord God, and suffer me to seek out Christ, — .Weeping, to seek Him in thy ways apart ; Until my sorrow have at length suffic'd In some accepted instant to atone For sins of thought, for stubborn evil done. Dishevelled and in tears, go, song of mine. To break the hardness of the heart of man : Say how his life began From dust, and in that dust doth sink supine : Yet, say, the unerring spirit of grief shall guide 1 His soul, being purified, To seek its Maker at the heavenly shrine. GINO DA PISTOIA. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. SOXXET. He interprets Dante's Dream related in the first Sonnet of the Vita Nuova^ Each lover's longing leads him naturally Unto his lady's heart his heart to show ; And this it is that Love would have thee know By the strange vision which he sent to thee/ With thy heart therefore, flaming outwardly, In humble guise he fed thy lady so, Who long had lain in slumber, from all woe Folded within a mantle silently. Also, in coming, Love might not repress His joy, to yield thee thy desire achieved. Whence heart should unto heart true service bring. But understanding the great love-sickness Which in thy lady's bosom was conceived, He pitied her, and wept in vanishing. * See aitte, page 28. Cino da Pistoia. 119 II. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Canzone. On the DeatJi of Beatrice Portinari. Albeit my prayers have not so long delay'd, But craved for thee, ere this, that Pity and Love Which only bring our heavy life some rest ; Yet is not now the time so much o'erstay'd But that these words of mine which tow'rds thee move Must find thee still with spirit dispossess'd, And say to thee : " In Heaven she now is bless'd, Even as the blessed name men called her by; " While thou dost ever cry, " Alas ! the blessing of mine eyes is flown ! " Behold, these words set down Are needed still, for still thou sorrowest. Then hearken ; I would yield advisedly Some comfort : Stay these sighs ; give ear to me. We know for certain that in this blind world Each man's subsistence is of grief and pain. Still trailed by fortune through all bitterness. Blessed the soul which, when its flesh is furl'd Within a shroud, rejoicing doth attain To Heaven itself, made free of earthly stress. Then wherefore sighs thy heart in abjectness, Which for her triumph should exult aloud ì For He the Lord our God Hath called her, hearkening what her Angel said. To have Heaven perfected. Each saint for a new thing beholds her face, And she the face of our Redemption sees, Conversing with immortal substances. Why now do pangs of torment clutch thy heart Which with thy love should make thee overjoy'd, As him whose intellect hath passed the skies ì Behold, the spirits of thy life depart Daily to Heaven with her, they so are buoy'd With their desire, and Love so bids them rise. O Godi and thou, a man whom God made wise. 120 Cino da Pistoia. To nurse a charge of care, and love the same ! I bid thee in His Name From sin of sighing grief to hold thy breath, Nor let thy heart to death, Nor harbor death's resemblance in thine eyes. God hath her with Himself eternally, Yet she inhabits every hour with thee. Be comforted, Love cries, be comforted ! Devotion pleads. Peace, for the love of God ! O yield thyself to prayers so full of grace ; And make thee naked now of this dull weed Which 'neath thy foot were better to be trod ; For man through grief despairs and ends his days. How ever shouldst thou see the lovely face If any desperate death should once be thine? From justice so condign Withdraw thyself even now; that in the end Thy heart may not offend Against thy soul, which in the holy place, In Heaven, still hopes to see her and to be Within her arms. Let this hope comfort thee. Look thou into the pleasure wherein dwells Thy lovely lady who is in Heaven crown'd, Who is herself thy hope in Heaven, the while To make thy memory hallowed she avails ; Being a soul within the deep Heaven bound, A face on thy heart painted, to beguile Thy heart of grief which else should turn it vile. Even as she seemed a wonder here below, On high she seemeth so, — Yea, better known, is there more wondrous yet. And even as she was met First by the angels with sweet song and smile, Thy spirit bears her back upon the wing. Which often in those ways is journeying. Of thee she entertains the blessed throngs, And says to them : " While yet my body thrave On earth, I gat much honor which he gave, Commending me in his commended songs." Also she asks alway of God our Lord To give thee peace according to His word. Cirio da Pistoia. I2I III. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He conceives of soine Coinpensatio?i in Death.^ Dante, whenever this thing happeneth, — That Love's desire is quite bereft of Hope, (Seeking in vain at ladies' eyes some scope Of joy, through what the heart for ever saith), — I ask thee, can amends be made by Death ì ■ Is such sad pass the last extremity? — ^ Or may the Soul that never feared to die Then in another body draw new breath .'' ■; Lo ! thus it is through her who governs all ' Below, — that I, who entered at her door, Now at her dreadful window must fare forth. Yea, and I think through her it doth befall That even ere yet the road is travelled o'er My bones are weary and life is nothing worth. IV. Madrigal. To his Lady Selvaggia Vergiolesi ; likening his Love to a Search for Gold. I AM all bent to glean the golden ore Little by little from the river-bed ; Hoping the day to see When Crcesus shall be conquered in my store. Therefore, still sifting where the sands are spread, I labor patiently : Till, thus intent on this thing and no more, — If to a vein of silver I were led. It scarce could gladden me. And, seeing that no joy 's so warm i' the core As this whereby the heart is comforted And the desire set free, — Therefore thy bitter love is still my scope. Lady, from whom it is my life's sore theme More painfully to sift the grains of hope Than gold out of that stream. 1 Among Dante's Epistles there is a Latin letter to Cino, which I should judge i-as written in reply to this Sonnet. 122 Cino da Pistoia. V. SOXXET. To Love., in great Bitterness. Love, O thou that, for my fealty. Only in torment dost thy power employ, Give me, for God's sake, something of thy joy, That I may learn what good there is in thee. Yea, for, if thou art glad with grieving me, Surely my very life thou shalt destroy When thou renew'st my pain, because the joy Must then be wept for with the misery. He that had never sense of good, nor sight, Esteems his ill estate but natural. Which so is lighther borne : his case is mine. But, if thou wouldst uplift me for a sign, Bidding me drain the curse and know it all, 1 must a little taste its opposite. VI. SOXXET. Death is not witJwut but within him. This fairest lady, who, as well I wot. Found entrance by her beauty to my soul. Pierced through mine eyes my heart, which erst was whole. Sorely, yet makes as though she knew it not ; Nay turns upon me now. to anger wrought. Dealing me harshness for my pain's best dole, And is so changed by her own wrath's control, That I go thence, in my distracted thought Content to die ; and, mourning, cry abroad On Death, as upon one afar from me ; But Death makes answer from within my heart. Then, hearing her so hard at hand to be, I do commend my spirit unto God ; Saying to her too, " Ease and peace thou art." Cino da Pistoia. 123 VII. Sonnet. A Trance of Love. Vanquished and weary was my soul in me, And my heart gasped after its much lament, When sleep at length the painful languor sent. And, as I slept (and wept incessantly), — Through the keen fixedness of memory Which I had cherished ere my tears were spent, I passed to a new trance of wonderment ; Wherein a visible spirit I could see, Which caught me up, and bore me to a place Where my most gentle lady was alone ; And still before us a fire seemed to move, Out of the which methought there came a moan, Uttering, " Grace, a little season, grace ! I am of one that hath the wings of Love." VIII. Sonnet. Of the Grave of Selvaggia^ on the Mojite della Satnbuca. I WAS upon the high and blessed mound. And kissed, long worshipping, the stones and grass. There on the hard stones prostrate, where, alas ! That pure one laid her forehead in the ground. Then were the springs of gladness sealed and bound. The day that unto Death's most bitter pass My sick heart's lady turned her feet, who was Already in her gracious life renown'd. So in that place I spake to Love, and cried : " O sweet my god, I am one whom Death may claim Hence to be his ; for lo ! my heart lies here." Anon, because my Master lent no ear, Departing, still I called Selvaggia's name. So with my moan I left the mountain-side. 124 Ciiio da Pistoia. IX. Canzone. His laineìitfor Selvaggia. Ay me, alas ! the beautiful bright hair That shed reflected gold O'er the green growths on either side the way : Ay me ! the lovely look, open and fair, Which my heart's core doth hold With ail else of that best-remembered day ; Ay me ! the face made gay With joy that Love confers ; Ay me ! that smile of hers Where whiteness as of snow w^as visible Among the roses at all seasons red ! Ay me ! and was this well, O Death, to let me live when she is dead ? Ay me ! the calm, erect, dignified walk ; Ay me! the sweet salute, — The thoughtful mind, — the wit discreetly worn ; Ay me ! the clearness of her noble talk, Which made the good take root In me, and for the evil woke my scorn ; Ay me ! the longing born Of so much lovehness, — The hope, whose eager stress Made other hopes fall back to let it pass. Even till my load of love grew light thereby ! These thou hast broken, as glass, O Death, who makest me, alive, to die ! Ay me ! Lady, the lady of all worth ; — Saint, for whose single shrine All other shrines I left, even as Love will'd; — Ay me ! what precious stone in the whole earth. For that pure fame of thine Worthy the marble statue's base to yield ? Ay me ! fair vase fulfill'd With more than this world's good, — By cruel chance and rude Cast out upon the steep path of the mountains Where Death has shut thee in between hard stones ! Ay me ! two languid fountains Of weeping are these eyes, which joy disowns. Cino da Pistoia. 125 Ay me, sharp Death ! till what I ask is done And my whole life is ended utterly, — Answer — must I weep on Even thus, and never cease to moan Ay me ? X. TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI. Sonnet. He owes nothing to Guido as a Poet. What rhymes are thine which I have ta'en from thee, Thou Guido, that thou ever say'st I thieve ì ^ 'T is true, fine fancies gladly I receive. But when was aught found beautiful in thee ì Nay, I have searched my pages diligently. And tell the truth, and lie not, by your leave. From whose rich store my web of songs I weave Love knoweth well, well knowing them and me. No artist I, — all men may gather it; Nor do I work in ignorance of pride (Though the world reach alone the coarser sense), But am a certain man of humble wit Who journeys with his sorrow at his side, For a heart's sake, alas ! that is gone hence. XL Sonnet. He impugns the verdicts of Dante's Cotmnedia. This book of Dante's, very sooth to say. Is just a poet's lovely heresy. Which by a lure as sweet as sweet can be Draws other men's concerns beneath its sway ; While, among stars' and comets' dazzHng play. It beats the right down, lets the wrong go free, Shows some abased, and others in great glee, Much as with lovers is Love's ancient way. Therefore his vain decrees, wherein he lied, Fixing folks' nearness to the Fiend their foe, Must be like empty nutshells flung aside. Yet through the rash false witness set to grow, French and Italian vengeance on such pride May fall, like Antony's on Cicero. 1 I have not examined Cino's poetry with special reference to this accusation ; but there is a Canzone of his in which he speaks of having conceived an affection for another ladv from her resemblance to Selvaggia. Perhaps Guido considered this as a sort of plagiarism de facto on his own change of love tlirough Mandetta's likeness to Giovanna. 126 Cino da Pistoia. XII. Sonnet. He condemns Datti e for not naming, in the Commedia,his friend Onesto di Boticima, and his Lady Selvaggia. Among the faults we in that book descry Which has crowned Dante lord of rhyme and thought, Are two so grave that some attaint is brought Unto the greatness of his soul thereby. One is, that, holding with Sordello high Discourse, and with the rest who sang and taught, He of Onesto di Boncima ^ nought Has said, who was to Arnauld Daniel ^ nigh. The other is, that when he says he came To see, at summit of the sacred stair. His Beatrice among the heavenly signs, — He, looking in the bosom of Abraham, Saw not that highest of all women there Who joined Mount Sion to the Apennines.^ 1 Between this poet and Cino various friendly sonnets were interchanged, which may be found in the Italian collections. There is also one sonnet by Onesto to Cino, with his answer, both of which are far from being affectionate or respectful. They are very obscure, however, and not specially interesting. 2 The Provencal poet, mentioned in C. xxvi. of the Purgatory. 3 That is, sanctified the Apennines by her burial on the Monte della Sambuca. DANTE DA MAIANO. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He interprets Dante AlighierVs Dream, related in the first Sonnet òf the Vita Nuova. '^ Of that wherein thou art a questioner Considering, I make answer briefly thus, Good friend, in wit but little prosperous : And from my words the truth thou shalt infer, — So hearken to thy dream's interpreter. If, sound of frame, thou soundly canst discuss In reason, — then, to expel this overplus Of vapors which hath made thy speech to err, See that thou lave and purge thy stomach soon. But if thou art afflicted with disease. Know that I count it mere delirium. Thus of my thought I write thee back the sum : Nor my conclusions can be changed from these Till to the leech thy water I have shown. ^ See aiite, page 28. Guido Orlandi, II. SOXNET. He craves interpreting of a Dreani of his. Thou that art wise, let wisdom minister Unto my dream, that it be understood. To wit : A lady, of her body fair, And whom my heart approves in womanhood, Bestowed on me a wreath of flowers, fair-hued And green in leaf, with gentle loving air ; After the which, meseemed I was stark nude Save for a smock of hers that I did wear. Whereat, good friend, my courage gat such growth That to mine arms I took her tenderly : With no rebuke the beauty laughed unloath, And as she laughed I kissed continually. I say no more, for that I pledged mine oath, And that my mother, who is dead, was by. GUIDO ORLANDI TO DANTE DA MAIANO. Sonnet. He interprets the Dream ^ related in the foregoing Sonnet. On the last words of what you write to me I give you my opinion at the first. To see the dead must prove corruption nursed Within you, by your heart's own vanity. The soul should bend the flesh to its decree : Then rule it, friend, as fish by line amerced. As to the smock, your lady's gift, the worst Of words were not too bad for speech so free. It is a thing unseemly to declare The love of gracious dame or damozel, And therewith for excuse to say, I dream'd. Tell us no more of this, but think who seem'd To call you : mother came to whip you well. Love close, and of Love's joy you '11 have your share. 1 There exist no fewer than six answers by different poets, interpreting Dante da Maiano's dream. I have chosen Guido Orlandi's, much the most matter-of-fact of the six, because it is diverting to find the writer again in his antagonistic mood. Among the five remaining answers, in all of which the vision is treated as a very mysterious matter, one is attributed to Dante Alighieri, but seems so doubtful that I have not translated it. Indeed, it would do the greater Dante, if he really wrote it, little credit as a lucid interpreter of dreams ; though it might have some interest, as giving him (when compared with the sonnet at page 127) a decided advantage over his lesser namesake in point of courtesy. Dante da Maiano. 1 29 III. Sonnet. To his Lady AHna^ of Sicily. So greatly thy great pleasance pleasured me, Gentle my lady, from the first of all, That counting every other blessing small I gave myself up wholly to know thee : And since I was made thine, thy courtesy And worth, more than of earth, celestial, I learned, and from its freedom did enthrall My heart, the servant of thy grace to be. Wherefore I pray thee, joyful countenance, Humbly, that it incense or irk thee not, If I, being thine, do wait upon thy glance. More to solicit, I am all afraid : Yet, lady, twofold is the gift, we wot, Given to the needy unsolicited. IV. Sonnet. He thanks his Lady for the foy he has had from her. Wonderful countenance and royal neck, I have not found your beauty's parallel ! Nor at her birth might any yet prevail The likeness of these features to partake. Wisdom is theirs, and mildness : for whose sake All grace seems stol'n, such perfect grace to swell ; Fashioned of God beyond delight to dwell Exalted. And herein my pride I take Who of this garden have possession. So that all worth subsists for my behoof And bears itself according to my will. Lady, in thee such pleasance hath its fill That whoso is content to rest thereon Knows not of grief, and holds all pain aloof. 9 CECCO ANGIOLIERI, DA SIENA. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. On the last Soìinet of the Vita Nuova} Dante Alighieri. Cecco, your good friend And servant, gives you greeting as his lord, And prays you for the sake of Love's accord (Love being the Master before whom you bend), That you will pardon him if he offend. Even as your gentle heart can well afford. All that he w^ants to say is just one word Which partly chides your sonnet at the end. For where the measure changes, first you say You do not understand the gentle speech A spirit made touching your Beatrice : And next you tell your ladies how, straightway, You understand it. Wherefore (look you) each Of theseryour words the other's sense denies. 1 See ante, page 77, Cecco Angio Iteri. 1 3 1 II. Sonnet. ^ 1 Ne will not be too deeply in Love. I AM enamoured, and yet not so much But that I 'd do without it easily ; And my own mind thinks all the more of me That Love has not quite penned me in his hutch. Enough if for his sake I dance and touch The lute, and serve his servants cheerfully: An overdose is worse than none would be : Love is no lord of mine, I 'm proud to vouch. So let no woman who is born conceive That I '11 be her liege slave, as I see some, Be she as fair and dainty as she will. Too much of love makes idiots, I believe : I like not any fashion that turns glum The heart, and makes the visage sick and ill. III. ^ y. Sonnet. Of Love in Men and Devils. The man who feels not, more or less, somewhat Of love in all the years his life goes round Should be denied a grave in holy ground Except with usurers who will bate no groat : Nor he himself should count himself a jot Less wretched than the meanest beggar found. Also the man who in Love's robe is gown'd May say that Fortune smiles upon his lot. Seeing how love has such nobility That if it entered in the lord of Hell 'T would rule him more than his fire's ancient sting ; He should be glorified to eternity. And all his life be always glad and well As is a wanton woman in the spring. 132 Cecco Angio Iteri. IV. Sonnet. Of Love, in honor of his 7Jtistress Becchina. Whatever good is naturally done Is born of Love as fruit is born of flower: By Love all good is brought to its full power : Yea, Love does more than this ; for he finds none So coarse but from his touch some grace is won, And the poor wretch is altered in an hour. So let it be decreed that Death devour The beast who says that Love 's a thing to shun. A man 's just worth the good that he can hold, And where no love is found, no good is there; On that there 's nothing that I would not stake. So now, my Sonnet, go as you are told To lovers and their sweethearts everywhere, And say I made you for Beech ina's sake. Sonnet. Of Becchina, the Shoemaker'' s Daughter. Why, if Becchina's heart were diamond, And all the other parts of her were steel, As cold to love as snows when they congeal In lands to which the sun may not get round; And if her father were a giant crown'd And not a donkey born to stitching shoes, Or I were but an ass myself; — to use Such harshness, scarce could to her praise redound. Yet if she 'd only for a minute hear, And I could speak if only pretty well, I 'd let her know that I 'm her happiness.; That I 'm her life should also be made clear, With other things that I 've no need to tell ; And then I feel quite sure she 'd answer Yes. Cecco Angiolieri. I33 VI. Sonnet. To M esser Angiolieri, his Father. If l 'd a sack of florins, and all new (Packed tight together, freshly coined and fine), And Arcidosso and Montegiovi mine,i And quite a glut of eagle-pieces too, — It were but as three farthings to my view Without Becchina. Why then all these plots To whip me, daddy? Nay, but tell me —what 's My sin, or all the sins of Turks, to you ? For I protest (or may I be struck dead !) My love 's so firmly planted in its place. Whipping nor hanging now could change the gram. And if you want my reason on this head, It is that whoso looks her in the face. Though he were old, gets back his youth agam. VII. Sonnet. Of the loth June, 1291. I 'm full of everything I do not want And have not that wherein I should find ease; For alway till Becchina brings me peace The heavy heart I bear must toil and pant ; That so all written paper would prove scant (Though in its space the Bible you might squeeze) To say how like the flames of furnaces I burn, remembering what she used to grant. Because the stars are fewer in heaven's span Than all those kisses wherewith I kept tune All in an instant (I who now have none !) Upon her mouth (I and no other man !) So sweetly on the twentieth day of June In the new year 2 twelve hundred ninety-one. 1 Perhaps the names of his father's estates. xu^ -.,fU Mor^v. 2 The year accordine to the calendar of those days, began on the 25th March. The alterS to ist January was made in 1582 by the Pope and inimediately adopted by all Catholic countries, but by England not till 175- There is |f "J^^^^//^ vividness in remembering that Cecco's unplatonic l"^'e-encounter dates eleven days after the first death-anniversary of Beatrice (gth of J}'"^, 1 201), when Dante tells us that he " drew the resemblance of an angel upon certam tablets, (See ante, p. 68 ) 134 Cecco Augia Iteri. Vili. Sonnet. In absence from Becchina. My heart 's so heavy with a hundred things That I feel dead a hundred times a-day ; Yet death would be the least of sufferings, For life 's all suffering save what 's slept away ; Though even in sleep there is no dream but brings From dream-land such dull torture as it may. And yet one moment would pluck out these stings, If for one moment she were mine to-day Who gives my heart the anguish that it has. Each thought that seeks my heart for its abode Becomes a wan and sorrow-stricken guest : Sorrow has brought me to so sad a pass That men look sad to meet me on the road ; Nor any road is mine that leads to rest. IX. Sonnet. Of Becchina in a rage. When I behold Becchina in a rage, Just like a little lad I trembling stand Whose master tells him to hold out his hand ; Had I a lion's heart, the sight would wage Such war against it, that in that sad stage I 'd wish my birth might never have been plann'd, And curse the day and hour that I was bann'd With such a plague for my life's heritage. Yet even if I should sell me to the Fiend, I must so manage matters in some way That for her rage I may not care a lig ; Or else from death I cannot long be screen'd. So I '11 not blink the fact, but plainly say It 's time I got my valor to grow big. Cecco Angio lievi. 135 X. Sonnet. He rails against Dante, who had censured his homage to Becchina, -f ^ Dante Alighieri in Becchina's praise Won't have me sing, and bears him h'ke my lord. He 's but a pinchbeck florin, on my word ; Sugar he seems, but salt 's in all his ways ; He looks like wheaten bread, who 's bread of maize ; He 's but a sty, though like a tower in height; A falcon, till you find that he 's a kite ; Call him a cock ! — a hen 's more like his case. Go now to Florence, Sonnet of my own. And there with dames and maids hold pretty paries, And say that all he is doth only seem. And I meanwhile will make him better known Unto the Count of Provence, good King Charles ; 1 And in this way we '11 singe his skin for him. XL Sonnet. Of his four Tormentors. I 'm caught, like any thrush the nets surprise, By Daddy and Becchina, Mammy and Love. As to the first-named, let thus much suffice, — Each day he damns me, and each hour thereof ; Becchina wants so much of all that 's nice. Not Mahomet himself could yield enough : And Love still sets me doting in a trice On trulls who 'd seem the Ghetto's proper stuff. My mother don't do much because she can't, But I may count it just as good as done, Knowing the way and not the will 's her want. To-day I tried a kiss with her — just one — To see if I could make her sulks avaunt : She said, " The devil rip you up, my son ! " ^ This may be either Charles II., King of Naples and Count of Provence, or more probably his son Charles Martel, King of Hungary. We know from Dante that a friendship subsisted between himself and the latter prince, who visited Florence in 1295, and died in the same year, in his father's lifetime. {Paradise, C. viii.) 136 Cecco Aftgio Iteri. XII. Sonnet. Concerning his Father. The dreadful and the desperate hate I bear My father (to my praise, not to my shame), Will make him live more than Methusalem ; Of this I 've long ago been made aware. Now tell me, Nature, if my hate 's not fair. A glass of some thin wine not worth a name One day I begged (he has whole butts o' the same), And he had almost killed me, I declare. " Good Lord, if I had asked for vernage-wine ! " Said I ; for if he 'd spit into my face I wished to see for reasons of my own. Now say that I may n't hate this plague of mine ! Why, if you knew what I know of his ways. You 'd tell me that I ought to knock him down.^ XIIL Sonnet. Of all he would do. If I were fire, I 'd burn the world away ; If I were wind, I 'd turn my storms thereon ; If I were water, I 'd soon let it drown ; If I were God, I 'd sink it from the day ; If I were Pope, I 'd never feel quite gay Until there was no peace beneath the sun ; If I were Emperor, what would I have done ? — I 'd lop men's heads all round in my own way. If I were Death, I 'd look my father up ; If I were Life, I 'd run away from him ; And treat my mother to like calls and runs. If I were Cecco (and that 's all my hope), I 'd pick the nicest girls to suit my whim, And other folk should get the ugly ones. I have thought it necessary to soften one or two expressions in this sonnet. Cecco Angiolieri. 137 XIV. Sonnet. He is past all Help. For a thing done, repentance is no good, Nor to say after, Thus would I have done : In life, what 's left behind is vainly rued ; So let a man get used his hurt to shun ; For on his legs he hardly may be stood Again, if once his fall be well begun. But to show w^isdom 's what I never could ; So where I itch I scratch now, and all 's one. I 'm down, and cannot rise in any way : For not a creature of my nearest kin Would hold me out a hand that I could reach. I pray you do not mock at what I say ; For so my love's good grace may I not win If ever sonnet held so true a speech ! XV. Sonnet. Of why he is imhanged. "^ Whoever without money is in love Had better build a gallows and go hang ; He dies not once, but oftener feels the pang Than he who was cast down from Heaven above. And certes, for my sins, it 's plain enough, If Love 's alive on earth, that he 's myself. Who would not be so cursed with want of pelf If others paid my proper dues thereof. Then why am I not hanged by my own hands ì I answer: for this empty narrow chink Of hope ; — that I 've a father old and rich, And that if once he dies I '11 get his lands ; And die he must, when the sea 's dry, I think. Meanwhile God keeps him whole and me i' the ditch. -r 138 Cecco Angio lievi. XVI. Sonnet. Of why he would be a Scullion. I AM SO out of love through poverty That if I see my mistress in the street I hardly can be certain whom I meet, And of her name do scarce remember me. Also my courage it has made to be So cold, that if I suffered some foul cheat, Even from the meanest wretch that one could beat, Save for the sin I think he should go free. Ay, and it plays me a still nastier trick; For, meeting some who erewhile with me took Delight, I seem to them a roaring fire. So here 's a truth whereat I need not stick ; — That if one could turn scullion to a cook. It were a thing to which one might aspire. XVII. Prolonged Sonnet. \ ' Wheji his Clothes were gone. ^ Never so bare and naked was church-stone As is my clean-stripped doublet in my grasp ; Also I wear a shirt without a clasp, Which is a dismal thing to look upon. Ah ! had I still but the sweet coins I won That time I sold my nag^and staked the pay, I 'd not lie hid beneath the roof to-day And eke out sonnets with this moping moan. Daily a thousand times stark mad am I At my dad's meanness who won't clothe me now, For " How about the horse ì " is still his cry. Till one thing strikes me as clear anyhow, — No rag I '11 get. The wretch has sworn, I see. Not to invest another doit in me. And all because of the fine doublet's price He gave me, when I vowed to throw no dice. And for his damned nag's sake ! Well, this is nice ! Cecco Angio lievi. 139 XVIII. Sonnet. He argues his case with Death. Gramercy, Death, as you 've my love to win, Just be impartial in your next assault ; And that you may not find yourself in fault, Whatever you do, be quick now and begin. As oft may I be pounded flat and thin As in Grosseto there are grains of salt. If now to kill us both you be not call'd, — Both me and him who sticks so in his skin. Or better still, look here ; for if I 'm slain Alone, — his wealth, it 's true, I '11 never have, Yet death is life to one who lives in pain : But if you only kill Saldagno's knave, I 'm left in Siena (don't you see your gain ?) Like a rich man who 's made a galley-slave.^ XIX. Sonnet. Becchina, and of her Husband. I WOULD like better in the grace to be Of the dear mistress whom I bear in mind (As once I was) than I should like to find A stream that washed up gold continually : Because no language could report of me The joys that round my heart would then be twin'd, Who now, without her love, do seem resign'd To death that bends my life to its decree. And one thing makes the matter still more sad : For all the while I know the fault 's my own, That on her husband I take no revenge, Who 's worse to her than is to me my dad. God send grief has not pulled my courage down. That hearing this I laugh ; for it seems strange. * He means, possibly, that he should be more than ever tormented by his creditors, on account of their knowing his ability to pay them ; but the meaning seems very uncertain. 140 Cecco Angio Iteri. XX. Sonnet. To Becchmà's rich Husband}- As thou wert loath to see, before thy feet, The dear broad coin roll all the hill-slope down, Till, gathering it from rifted clods, some clown Should rub it oft and scarcely render it ; — Tell me, I charge thee, if by generous heat Or clutching frost the fruits of earth be grown, And by what wind the blight is o'er them strown, And with what gloom the tempest is replete. Yet daily, in good sooth, as morn by morn Thou hear'st the voice of thy poor husbandman And those loud herds, his other family, — I know, as surely as Becchina 's born With a kind heart, she does the best she can To filch at least one new-bought prize from thee. XXI. Sonnet. On the Death of his Father. Let not the inhabitants of Hell despair, For one 's got out who seemed to be locked in ; And Cecco 's the poor devil that I mean. Who thought for ever and ever to be there. But the leaf 's turned at last, and I declare That now my state of glory doth begin : For Messer Angiolieri 's slipped his skin, Who plagued me, summer and winter, many a year. Make haste to Cecco, Sonnet, with a will, To him who no more at the Abbey dwells ; Tell him that Brother Henry 's half dried up.2 He '11 never more be down-at-mouth, but fill His beak at his own beck,^ till his life swells To more than Enoch's or Elijah's scope. 1 This puzzling sonnet is printed in Italian collections with the name of Guido Cavalcanti. It must evidently belong to Angiolieri, and it has certain fine points which make me unwilling to omit it ; though partly as to rendering, and wholly as to application, I have been driven on conjecture. 2 It would almost seem as if Cecco, in his poverty, had at last taken refuge in a religious house under the name of Brother Henry (/^rai?^ ^rr?^o), and as if he here meant that Brother Henry was now decayed, so to speak, through the resuscitation of Cecco. (See Introduction to Part /., p. 23.) •" In the original words, " Ma di tal cibo imbecchi lo suo becco," a play upon the name of Becchina seems intended, which I have conveyed as well as I could. Cecco Angio lievi. 141 XXII. Sonnet. He would slay all who hate their Fathers. Who utters of his father aught but praise, 'Twere well to cut his tongue out of his mouth ; Because the Deadly Sins are seven, yet doth No one provoke such ire as this must raise. Were I a priest, or monk in anyways, Unto the Pope my first respects were paid, Saying, " Holy Father, let a just crusade Scourge each man who his sire's good name gainsays.' And if by chance a handful of such rogues At any time should come into our clutch, I 'd have them cooked and eaten then and there. If not by men, at least by wolves and dogs. The Lord forgive me ! for I fear me much Some words of mine were rather foul than fair. XXIII. TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He writes to Dante, then in exile at Verojta, defying him as no better than himself. Dante Alighieri, if I jest and lie, You in such lists might run a tilt with me : I get my dinner, you your supper, free ; And if I bite the fat, you suck the fry ; I shear the cloth and you the teazle ply ; If I 've a strut, who 's prouder than you are ? If I 'm foul-mouthed, you 're not particular ; And you 're turned Lombard, even if Roman I. So that, 'fore Heaven ! if either of us flings Much dirt at the other, he must be a fool : For lack of luck and wit we do these things. Yet if you want more lessons at my school, Just say so, and you '11 find the next touch stings — For, Dante, I 'm the goad and you 're the bull. 142 Guido Orlandi. GUIDO ORLANDI.i Sonnet, Against the " White " Ghibellines. Now of the hue of ashes are the Whites ; And they go following now after the kind Of creatures we call crabs, which, as some find, Will only seek their natural food o' nights. All day they hide ; their flesh has such sore frights Lest death be come for them on every wind, Lest now the Lion's ^ wrath be so inclined That they may never set their sin to rights. Guelf were they once, and now are Ghibelline : Nothing but rebels henceforth be they named, — State-foes, as are the Uberti, every one. Behold, against the Whites all men must sign Some judgment whence no pardon can be claim'd Excepting they were offered to Saint John.^ 1 Several other pieces by this author, addressed to Guido Cavalcanti and Dante da Maiano, wall be found among their poems. 2 That is, Florence. 3 That is, presented at the high altar on the feast-day of St. John the Baptist ; a ceremony attending the release of criminals, a certain number of whom were annually pardoned on that day in Florence. This was the disgraceful condition annexed to that recall to Florence which Dante received when in exile at the court of Verona ; which others accepted, but which was refused by him in a memorable epistle still pre- served. Lapo Gianni. 143 LAPO GIANNI. Madrigal. What Love shall provide for him. Love, I demand to have my lady in fee. Fine balm let Arno be ; The walls of Florence all of silver rear'd, And crystal pavements in the public way. With castles make me fear'd, Till every Latin soul have owned my sway. Be the world peaceful ; safe throughout each path ; No neighbor to breed wrath ; The air, summer and winter, temperate. A thousand dames and damsels richly clad Upon my choice to wait. Singing by day and night to make me glad. Let me have fruitful gardens of great girth, Filled with the strife of birds, With water-springs, and beasts that house i' the earth. Let me seem Solomon for lore of words, Samson for strength, for beauty Absalom. Knights as my serfs be given ; And as I will, let music go and come ; Till at the last thou brinof me into Heaven. 144 Lapo Gianni. II. Ballata. A Message in charge for his Lady Lagia. Ballad, since Love himself hath fashioned thee Within my mind where he doth make abode, Hie thee to her who through mine eyes bestow'd Her blessing on my heart, which stays with me. Since thou wast born a handmaiden of Love, With every grace thou shouldst be perfected, And everywhere seem gentle, wise, and sweet. And for that thine aspect gives sign thereof, I do not tell thee, " Thus much must be said : " — Hoping, if thou inh eri test my wit. And com'st on her when speech may ill befit, That thou wilt say no words of any kind : But when her ear is graciously inclin'd. Address her without dread submissively. Afterward, when thy courteous speech is done (Ended with fair obeisance and salute To that chief forehead of serenest good), Wait thou the answer which, in heavenly tone. Shall haply stir between her lips, nigh mute For gentleness and virtuous womanhood. And mark that, if my homage please her mood, No rose shall be incarnate in her cheek. But her soft eyes shall seem subdued and meek, And almost pale her face for delicacy. For, when at last thine amorous discourse Shall have possessed her spirit with that fear Of thoughtful recollection which in love Comes first, — then say thou that my heart implores Only without an end to honor her. Till by God's will my living soul remove : That I take counsel oftentimes with Love ; For he first made my hope thus strong and rife,_ Through whom my heart, my mind, and all my life, Are given in bondage to her seigniory. Then shalt thou find the blessed refuge girt r the circle of her arms, where pity and grace Have sojourn, with all human excellence : Lapo Gianni. 145 Then shalt thou feel her gentleness exert Its rule (unless, alack ! she deem thee base): Then shalt thou know her sweet intelligence : Then shalt thou see — O marvel most intense ! What thing the beauty of the angels is, And what are the miraculous harmonies Whereon Love rears the heights of sovereignty. Move, Ballad, so that none take note of thee. Until thou set thy footsteps in Love's road. Having arrived, sjDeak with thy visage bow'd, And bring no false doubt back, or jealousy. 10 146 Dhw Frescobaldi. DINO FRESCOBALDI. I. Sonnet. Of what his Lady is. This is the damsel by whom love is brought To enter at his eyes that looks on her; This is the righteous maid, the comforter, Whom every virtue honors unbesought. Love, journeying with her, unto smiles is wrought, Showing the glory which surrounds her there ; Who, when a lowly heart prefers its prayer. Can make that its transgression come to nought. And, when she giveth greeting, by Love's rule. With sweet reserve she somewhat lifts her eyes, Bestowing that desire which speaks to us. Alone on what is noble looks she thus. Its opposite rejecting in like wise, This pitiful young maiden beautiful. II. Sonnet. Of the Star of his Love. That star the highest seen in heaven's expanse Not yet forsakes me with its lovely light : It gave me her who from her heaven's pure height Gives all the grace mine intellect demands. Thence a new arrow of strength is in my hands Which bears good-will whereso it may alight ; So barbed, that no man's body or soul its flight Has wounded yet, nor shall wound any man's. Glad am I therefore that her grace should fall Not otherwise than thus; whose rich increase Is such a power as evil cannot dim. My sins within an instant perished all When I inhaled the light of so much peace. And this Love knows ; for I have told it him. Giotto di Bondone. 147 GIOTTO DI BONDONE. Canzone. Of the DoctrÌ7ie of Voluntary Poverty. Many there are, praisers of Poverty ; The which as man's best state is register'd When by free choice preferr'd, With strict observance having nothing here. For this they find certain authority Wrought of an over-nice interpreting. Now as concerns such thing, A hard extreme it doth to me appear. Which to commend I fear, For seldom are extremes without some vice. Let every edifice, Of work or word, secure foundation find ; Against the potent wind, And all things perilous, so well prepar'd That it need no correction afterward. Of poverty which is against the will, It never can be doubted that therein Lies broad the way to sin. For oftentimes it makes the judge unjust : In dames and damsels doth their honor kill ; And begets violence and villanies, And theft and wicked lies. And casts a good man from his fellows' trust. And for a little dust Of gold that lacks, wit seems a lacking too. If once the coat give view Of the real back, farewell all dignity. Each therefore strives that he Should by no means admit her to his sight. Who, only thought on, makes his face turn white. Of poverty which seems by choice elect, I may pronounce from plain experience, — Not of mine own pretence, — 48 Giotto di Bojidoìie. That 't is observed or unobserved at will. Nor its observance asks our full respect : For no discernment, nor integrity, Nor lore of life, nor plea Of virtue, can her cold regard instil. I call it shame and ill To name as virtue that which stifles good. I call it grossly rude, On a thing bestial to make consequent Virtue's inspired advent To understanding hearts acceptable : For the most wise most love with her to dwell. Here mayst thou find some issue of demur : For lo ! our Lord commendeth poverty. Nay, what His meaning be Search well : His words are wonderfully deep, Oft doubly sensed, asking interpreter. The state for each most saving, is His will For each. Thine eyes unseal, And look within, the inmost truth to reap. Behold what concord keep His holy words with His most holy life. In Him the power was rife Which to all things apportions time and place. On earth He chose such case : And why ? 'T was His to point a higher life. But here, on earth, our senses show us still How they who preach this thing are least at peace, And evermore increase Much thought how from this thing they should escape. For if one such a lofty station fill, He shall assert his strength like a wild wolf, Or daily mask himself Afresh, until his will be brought to shape ; Ay, and so wear the cape That direst wolf shall seem like sweetest lamb Beneath the constant sham. Hence, by their art, this doctrine plagues the world : And hence, till they be hurl'd From where they sit in high hypocrisy. No corner of the world seems safe to me. Go, Song, to some sworn owls that we have known, And on their folly bring them to reflect : But if they be stiff-neck'd. Belabor them until their heads are down. Simone dall' A ut e Ila. 149 SIMONE DALL' ANTELLA. Prolonged Soxnet. Iji the last Days of the Emperor Henry VII. Along the road all shapes must travel by, How swiftly, to my thinking, now doth fare The wanderer who built his watchtower there Where wind is torn with wind continually ! Lo ! from the world and its dull pain to fly, Unto such pinnacle did he repair. And of her presence was not made aware. Whose face, that looks like Peace, is Death's own lie. Alas, Ambition, thou his enemy. Who lurest the poor wanderer on his way. But never bring'st him where his rest may be, — O leave him now, for he is gone astray Himself out of his very self through thee. Till now the broken stems his feet betray. And, caught with boughs before and boughs behind, Deep in thy tangled wood he sinks entwin'd. 150 Giovanili Qtiirino. GIOVANNI QUIRINO TO DANTE ALIGHIERI. Sonnet. He commends the work of Dante's life, then drawing to its close ; and deplores his own deficiencies. Glory to God and to God's Mother chaste, Dear friend, is all the labor of thy days : Thou art as he who evermore uplays That heavenly wealth which the worm cannot waste : So shalt thou render back with interest The precious talent given thee by God's grace : While I, for my part, follow in their ways Who by the cares of this world are possess'd. For, as the shadow of the earth doth make The moon's globe dark, when so she is debarr'd From the bright rays which lit her in the sky, — So now, since thou my sun didst me forsake (Being distant from me), I grow dull and hard. Even as a beast of Epicurus' sty. Dante A lighieri. 151 DANTE ALIGHIERI TO GIOVANNI QUIRINO. Sonnet. He answers the foregoitig Sonnet j saying what he feels at the approach of Death. The King by whose rich grace His servants be With plenty beyond measure set to dwell Ordains that I my bitter wrath dispel And lift mine eyes to the great consistory ; Till, noting how in glorious choirs agree The citizens of that fair citadel, To the Creator I His creature swell Their song, and all their love possesses me. So, when I contemplate the great reward To which our God has called the Christian seed, I long for nothing else but only this. And then my soul is grieved in thy regard, Dear friend, who reck'st not of thy nearest need, Renouncing for slight joys the perfect bliss. APPENDIX TO PART I. Forese Donati. What follows relates to the very filmiest of all the will-o'- the-wisps which have beset me in making this book. I should be glad to let it lose itself in its own quagmire, but am perhaps bound to follow it as far as may be. Ubaldini, in his Glossary to Barberino (published in 1640, and already several times referred to here), has a rather startling entry under the word Vendetta. After describing this " custom of the country," he says : "To leave a vengeance unaccomplished was considered very shameful ; and on this account Forese de' Donati sneers at Dante, who did not avenge his father Alighieri ; saying to him ironically, — ' Ben so che fosti figliuol d' Alighieri ; Ed accorgomen pure alia vendetta Che facesti di lui sì bella e netta ; ' and hence perhaps Dante is menaced in Hell by the Spirit of one of his race." Now there is no hint to be found anywhere that Dante's father, who died about 1270, in the poet's childhood, came by his death in any violent way. The spirit met in Hell (C. xxix.) is Geri son of Bello Alighieri, and Dante's great- uncle ; and he is there represented as passing his kinsman in contemptuous silence on account of his ow?i death by the hand of one of the Sacchetti, which remained till then unavenged, and so continued till after Dante's death, when Clone Alighieri fulfilled the vendetta by slaying a Sacchetti at 154 Appendix to Part I. the door of his house. If Dante is really the person ad- dressed in the sonnet quoted by Ubaldini, I think it prob- able (as I shall show presently when I give the whole sonnet) that the ironical allusion is to the death of Geri Alighieri. But indeed the real writer, the real subject, and the real object of this clumsy piece of satire, seem about equally puzzling. Forese Donati, to whom this Sonnet and another I shall quote are attributed, was the brother of Gemma Donati, Dante's wife, and of Corso and Piccarda Donati. Dante introduces him in the Purgatory (C. xxiii.) as expiating the sin of gluttony. From what is there said, he seems to have been well known in youth to Dante, who speaks also of having wept his death ; but at the same time he hints that the Hfe they led together was disorderly and a subject for regret. This can hardly account for such violence as is shown in these sonnets, said to have been written from one to the other ; but it is not impossible, of course, that a ran- cor, perhaps temporary, may have existed at some time between them, especially as Forese probably adhered with the rest of his family to the party hostile to Dante. At any rate, Ubaldini, Crescimbeni, Quadrio, and other writers on Italian Poetry, seem to have derived this impression from the poems which they had seen in MS. attributed to Forese. They all combine in stigmatizing Forese's supposed produc- tions as very bad poetry, and in fact this seems the only point concerning them which is beyond a doubt. The four sonnets of which I now proceed to give such translations as I have found possible were first published together in 1812 by Fiacchi, who states that he had seen two separate an- cient MSS. in both of which they were attributed to Dante and Forese. In rendering them, I have no choice but to adopt in a positive form my conjectures as to their mean- ing; but that I view these only as conjectures will appear afterwards. I. Dante Alighieri to Forese Doxati. He taunts Forese, by the nickname of Bicci. O Bicci, pretty son of who knows whom Unless thy mother Lady Tessa tell. — Thy gullet is already crammed too well, Appeìidix to Part I. 155 Yet others' food thou needs must now consume. Lo ! he that wears a purse makes ample room When thou goest by in any pubHc place. Saying, " This fellow with the branded face Is thief apparent from his mother's womb." And I know one who 's fain to keep his bed Lest thou shouldst filch it, at whose birth he stood Like Joseph when the world its Christmas saw. Of Bicci and his brothers it is said That with the heat of misbegotten blood Among their wives they are nice brothers-in-law. IL Forese Donati to Dante Alighieri. He taunts Dante ironically for not avenging Gerì Alighieri, Right well I know thou 'rt Alighieri's son ; Nay, that revenge alone might warrant it, Which thou didst take, so clever and complete, For thy great-uncle who awhile agone Paid scores in full. Why, if thou hadst hewn one In bits for it, 't were early still for peace ! But then thy head 's so heaped with things like these That they would weigh two sumpter-horses down. Thou hast taught us a fair fashion, sooth to say, — That whoso lays a stick well to thy back, Thy comrade and thy brother he shall be. As for their names who 've shown thee this good play, I '11 tell thee, so thou 'It tell me all the lack Thou hast of help, that I may stand by thee. III. Dante Alighieri to Forese Donati. He taunts hi;n concerning his Wife. To hear the unlucky wife of Bicci cough, (Bicci, — Forese as he 's called, you know, — ) You 'd fancy she had wintered, sure enough, » Where icebergs rear themselves in constant snow : \t?V^^\vv And Lord ! if in mid-August it is so, ^r \V^^ How in the frozen months must she come off? To wear her socks abed avail^.tiot, — no, OV Nor quilting from Cortona, warm and tough. v,i^\^^^ 56 Appendix to Part I. Her cough, her cold, and all her other ills, Do not afflict her through the rheum of age, But through some want within her nest, poor spouse ! This grief, with other griefs, her mother feels. Who says, " Without much trouble, I 11 engage. She might have married in Count Guido's house !" IV. Forese Donati to Dante Alighieri. He taunts him concerning the unavenged Spirit of Geri Alighieri. The other night I had a dreadful cough Because I 'd got no bed-clothes over me ; And so, when the day broke, I hurried off To seek some gain whatever it might be. And such luck as I had I tell you of. For lo ! no jewels hidden in a tree I find, nor buried gold, nor suchlike stuff, But Alighieri among the graves I see, Bound by some spell, I know not at whose 'hest, — At Solomon's, or what sage's who shall say? Therefore I crossed myself towards the east ; And he cried out : " For Dante's love I pray Thou loose me ! " But I knew not in the least How this were done, so turned and went my way. Now all this may be pronounced little better than scur- rilous doggerel, and I would not have introduced any of it, had I not wished to include everything which could possibly belong to my subject. Even supposing that the authorship is correctly attributed in each case, the insults heaped on Dante have of course no weight, as coming from one who shows every sign of being both foul-mouthed and a fool. That then even the observ- ance of the vendetta had its opponents among the laity, is evident from a passage in Barberino's Documejiti d' Amore. The two sonnets bearing Dante's name, if not less offensive than the others, are rather more pointed ; but seem still very unworthy even of his least exalted mood. Accordingly Fraticelli (in his Minor lVo?'ks of Dante) setdes to his own satisfaction that these four sonnets are not by Dante and Forese; but I do not think his arguments Appendix to Part I. 157 conclusive enough to set the matter quite at rest. He first states positively that Sonnet I. (as above) is by Burchiello, the Florentine barber-poet of the fifteenth century. How- ever, it is only to be found in one edition of Burchiello, and that a late one, of 1757, where it is placed among the pieces which are very doubtfully his. It becomes all the more doubtful when we find it there followed by Sonnet H. (as above), which would seem by all evidence to be at any rate written by a different person from the first, whoever the writers of both may be. Of this sonnet Fraticelli seems to state that he has seen it attributed in one MS. to a certain Bicci Novello ; and adds (but without giving any authority) that it was addressed to some descendant of the great poet, also bearing the name of Dante. Sonnet HI. is pronounced by Fraticelli to be of uncertain authorship, though if the first is by Burchiello, so must this be. He also decides that the designation, " Bicci, vocato Forese," shows that Forese was the nickname and Bicci the real name ; but this is surely quite futile, as the way in which the name is put is to the full as likely to be meant in ridicule as in earnest. Lastly, of Sonnet IV. Fraticelli says nothing. It is now necessary to explain that Sonnet II., as I translate it, is made up from two versions, the one printed by Fiacchi and the one given among Burchiello's poems ; while in one respect I have adopted a reading of my own. I would make the first four lines say — Ben so che fosti figliuol d' Alighieri : Ed accorgomen pure alia vendetta Che facesti di lui, sì bella e netta, Dell' avolin che die cambio 1' altrieri. Of the two printed texts one says, in the fourth line — Dell' aguglin ched ei cambiò 1' altrieri ; and the other, Degli auguglin che die cambio V altrieri. "Agughno" would be '^ eaglet," and with this, the whole sense of the line seems quite unfathomable : whereas at the same time " aguglino " would not be an unlikely corrupt transcription, or even corrupt version, of "■ avolino," which again (according to the often confused distinctions of Italian 158 Appeìidix to Part L relationships) might well be a modification of " avolo " (grandfather), meaning great-uncle. The reading would thus be, " La vendetta che facesti di lui {i. e.) delP avolino che die cambio 1' altrieri ; " translated literally, " The ven- geance which you took for him, — for your great-uncle who gave change the other day." Geri Alighieri might indeed have been said to ^' give change "or '' pay scores in full " by his death, as he himself had been the aggressor in the first instance, having slain one of the Sacchetti, and been after- wards slain himself by another. I should add that I do not think the possibility, however questionable, of these sonnets being authentically by Dante and Forese, depends solely on the admission of this word "avolino." The rapacity attributed to the " Bicci " of Sonnet I. seems a tendency somewhat akin to the insatiable gluttony which Forese is represented as expiating in Dante's Purgatory. Mention is also there made of Forese's wife, though certainly in a very different strain from that of Sonnet III. ; but it is not impossible that the poet might have intended to make amends to her as well as in some degree to her husband's memory. I am really more than half ashamed of so many "possibles" and "not impossibles;" but perhaps, having been led into the subject, am a little incHned that the reader should be worried with it like myself. At any rate, considering that these Sonnets are attributed by various old manuscripts to Dante and Forese Donati ; — that various writers (beginning with Ubaldini, who seems to have ransacked libraries more than almost any one) have spoken of these and other sonnets by Forese against Dante, — that the feud between the Ahghieri and Sacchetti, and the death of Geri, were certainly matters of unabated bitterness in Dante's lifetime, as we find the vendetta accomplished even after his death, — and lastly, that the sonnets attributed to Forese seem to be plausibly referable to this subject, — I have thought it pardonable towards myself and my readers to devote to these ill-natured and not very refined produc- tions this very long and tiresome note. Crescimbeni {Storia della Volgar Poesia) gives another sonnet against Dante as being written by Forese Donati, and it certainly resembles these in style. I should add that their obscurity of mere language is excessive, and that my transla- Appendix to Part I. 159 tions tlierefore are necessarily guesswork here and there ; though as to this I may spare particulars except in what affects the question at issue. In conclusion, I hope I need hardly protest against the inference that my translations and statements might be shown to abound in dubious makeshifts and whimsical conjectures ; though it would be admitted, on going over the ground I have traversed, that it presents a difficulty of some kind at almost every step. II. Cecco d' Ascoli. There is one more versifier, contemporary with Dante, to whom I might be expected to refer. This is the ill-fated Francesco Stabili, better known as Cecco d' Ascoli, who was burnt by the Inquisition at Florence in 1327, as a heretic, though the exact nature of his offence is involved in some mystery. He was a narrow, discontented, and self-sufficient writer ; and his incongruous poem in sesta rhna, called U' Acerba, contains various references to the poetry of Dante (whom he knew personally) as well as to that of Guido Cavalcanti, made chiefly in a supercilious spirit. These allusions have no poetical or biographical value what- ever, so I need say no more of them or their author. And indeed perhaps the " Bicci " sonnets are quite enough of themselves in the way of absolute trash. III. Giovanni Boccaccio. Several of the little-known sonnets of Boccaccio have reference to Dante, but, being written in the generation which followed his, do not belong to the body of my first division. I therefore place three of them here, together with a few more specimens from the same poet. There is nothing which gives Boccaccio a greater claim to our regard than the enthusiastic reverence with which he 1 60 Appendix to Part I. loved to dwell on the Commedia and on the memory of Dante, who died when he was seven years old. This is amply proved by his Life of the Poet and Commentary on the Poem, as well as by other passages in his writings both in prose and poetry. The first of the three following son- nets relates to his public reading and elucidation of Dante, which took place at Florence, by a decree of the State, in 1373. The second sonnet shows how the greatest minds of the generation which immediately succeeded Dante already paid unhesitating tribute to his political as well as poetical greatness. In the third sonnet, it is interesting to note the personal love and confidence with which Boccaccio could address the spirit of his mighty master, unknown to him in the flesh. I. To one who had cetisured his public Exposition of Dante. If Dante mourns, there wheresoe'er he be, That such high fancies of a soul so proud Should be laid open to the vulgar crowd (As, touching my Discourse, I 'm told by thee). This were my grievous pain ; and certainly My proper blame should not be disavowed ; Though hereof somewhat, I declare aloud. Were due to others, not alone to me. False hopes, true poverty, and therewithal The blinded judgment of a host of friends. And their entreaties, made that I did thus. But of all this there is no gain at all Unto the thankless souls with whose base ends Nothing agrees that 's great or generous. II. Inscj'iption for a portrait of Dante. Dante Alighieri, a dark oracle Of wisdom and of art, I am ; whose mind Has to my country such great gifts assign'd That men account my powers a miracle. My lofty fancy passed as low as Hell, As high as Heaven, secure and unconfin'd ; And in my noble book doth every kind Of earthlv lore and heavenlv doctrine dwell. Appendix to Part I. i6i Renowned Florence was my mother, — nay, Stepmother unto me her piteous son, Through sin of cursed slander's tongue and tooth. Ravenna sheltered me so cast away ; My body is with her, — my soul with One For whom no envy can make dim the truth. III. To Dante in Paradise^ after Fiammetta'' s death. Dante, if thou within the sphere of Love, As I believe, remain'st contemplating Beautiful Beatrice, whom thou didst sing Erewhile, and so wast drawn to her above ; — Unless from false life true life thee remove So far that Love 's forgotten, let me bring One prayer before thee : for an easy thing This were, to thee whom I do ask it of. I know that where all joy doth most abound In the Third Heaven, my own Fiammetta sees The grief which I have borne since she is dead. O pray her (if mine image be not drown'd In Lethe) that her prayers may never cease Until I reach her and am comforted. I add three further examples of Boccaccio's poetry, chosen for their beauty alone. Two of these relate to Maria d' Aquino, if she indeed be the lady whom, in his writings, he calls Fiammetta. The third has a playful charm very characteristic of the author of the Decameron; while its beauty of color (to our modern minds, privileged to review the whole pageant of Italian Art) might recall the painted pastorals of Giorgione. IV. Of Fiammetta singing. Love steered my course, while yet the sun rode high, On Scylla's waters to a myrtle-grove : The heaven was still and the sea did not move ; Yet now and then a little breeze went by Stirring the tops of trees against the sky : And then I heard a song as glad as love, So sweet that never yet the like thereof Was heard in any mortal company. 102 Appendix to Part I. " A nymph, a goddess, or an angel sings Unto herself, within this chosen place, Of ancient loves ; " so said I at that sound. And there my lady, 'mid the shadowings Of myrtle-trees, 'mid flowers and grassy space, Singing I saw, with others who sat round. V. Of his last sight of Fiammetta. Round her red garland and her golden hair I saw a fire about Fiammetta's head ; Thence to a little cloud I watched it fade. Than silver or than gold more brightly fair : And like a pearl that a gold ring doth bear, Even so an angel sat therein, who sped Alone and glorious throughout heaven, array'd In sapphires and in gold that lit the air. Then I rejoiced as hoping happy things, Who rather should have then discerned how God Had haste to make my lady all His own, Even as it came to pass. And with these stings Of sorrow, and with life's most weary load I dwell, who fain would be where she is gone. VI. Of three Girls and of their Talk. By a clear well, within a little field Full of green grass and flowers of every hue, Sat three young girls, relating (as I knew) Their loves. And each had twined a bough to shield Her lovely face ; and the green leaves did yield The golden hair their shadow; while the two Sweet colors mingled, both blown lightly through With a soft wind for ever stirred and still'd. After a little while one of them said (I heard her), " Think ! If, ere the next hour struck, Each of our lovers should come here to-day, Think you that we should fly or feel afraid ? " To whom the others answered, " From such luck A girl would be a fool to run away." End of Part I. TABLE OF POETS IN PART II. I. CiULLO d' Alcamo, 1172-78. Ciullo^is a popular form of the name Vincenzo, and Alcamo an Arab fortress some miles from Palermo. 7'he Dialogue, which is the only known production of this poet, holds here the place generally accorded to it as the earliest Italian poem (exclusive of one or two dubious inscriptions) which has been preserved to our day. Arguments have sometimes been brought to prove that it must be assigned to a later date than the poem by Folcachiero, which follows it in this volume ; thus ascribing the first honors of Italian poetry to Tuscany, and not to Sicily, as is commonly supposed. Trucchi, however (in the preface to his valuable collection), states his belief that the two poems are about contemporaneous, fixing the date of that by Giulio between 11 72 and 11 78, — chiefly from the fact that the fame of Saladin, to whom this poet alludes, was most in men's mouths during that interval. At first sight, aily casual reader of the original would suppose that this poem must be unquestionably the earliest of all, as its language is far the most unformed and difiicult ; but much of this might, of course, be dependent on the inferior dialect of Sicily, mixed however in this instance (as far as I can judge) with mere nondescript /rt; /. II. Folcachiero de' Folcachieri, Knight of Siena, 1177. The above date has been assigned with probability to Folcachiero's Canzone, on account of its first line, where the whole world is said to be "living without war ; " an assertion which seems to refer its production to the period of the cele- brated peace concluded at Venice between Frederick Bar- barossa and Pope Alexander III. III. Lodovico della Vernaccia, 1200. 1 64 Table of Poets in Part II. IV. Saint Francis of Assisi; born, 1182; died, 1226. His baptismal name was Giovanni, and his father was Ber- nardone Monconi, whose mercantile pursuits he shared till the age of twenty-five ; after which his life underwent the extraordi- nary change which resulted in his canonization, by Gregory IX., three years after his death, and in the formation of the Religious Order called Franciscans, V. Frederick IL, Emperor; born, 1194; died, 1250. The life of Frederick II., and his excommunication and deposition from the Empire by Innocent IV., to whom, how- ever, he did not succumb, are matters of history which need no repetition. Intellectually, he was in all ways a highly-gifted and accomplished prince; and lovingly cultivated the Italian language, in preference to the many others with which he was familiar. The poem of his which I give has great passionate beauty; yet I believe that an allegorical interpretation may here probably be admissible ; and that the lady of the poem may be the Empire, or perhaps the Church herself, held in bondage by the Pope. VI. Enzo, King of Sardinia; born, 1225; died, 1272. The unfortunate Enzo was a natural son of Frederick II., and was born at Palermo. By his own warlike enterprise, at an early age (it is said at fifteen ! ) he subjugated the Island of Sardinia, and was made King of it by his father. Afterwards he joined Frederick in his war against the Church, and dis- played the highest promise as a leader ; but at the age of twenty-five was taken prisoner by the Bolognese, whom no threats or promises from the Emperor could induce to set him at liberty. He died in prison at Bologna, after a confinement of nearly twenty-three years. A hard fate indeed for one who, while moving among men, excited their hopes and homage, still on record, by his great military genius and brilliant gifts of mind and person. VII. Guido Guinicelli, 1220. This poet, certainly the greatest of his time, belonged to a noble and even princely Bolognese family. Nothing seems known of his life, except that he was married to a lady named Beatrice, and that in 1274, having adhered to the Imperial cause, he was sent into exile, but whither cannot be learned. He died two years afterwards. The highest praise has been bestowed by Dante on Guinicelli, in the CoDiinedia (Purg. C. xxvi.) in the Convito^ and in the De Viilgari Eloquio; and Table of Poets in Part II. 165 many instances might be cited in which the works of the great Florentine contain reminiscences of his Bolognese predecessor ; especially the third canzone of Dante's Convito may be com- pared with Guido's most famous one " On the Gentle Heart." VIII. GUERZO DI MONTECANTI, T2 20. IX. Inghilfredi, Siciliano, 1220. X. Rinaldo d' Aquino, 1250. I have placed this poet, belonging to a Neapolitan family, under the date usually assigned to him : but Trucchi states his belief that he flourished much earlier, and was a contemporary of Folcachiero ; partly on account of two lines in one of his poems which say, — " Lo Imperadore con pace Tutto il mondo mantene." If so, the mistake would be easily accounted for, as there seem to have been various members of the family named Rinaldo, at different dates. XI. Jacopo da Lentino, 1250. This Sicilian poet is generally called " the Notary of Len- tino." The low estimate expressed of him, as well as of Bonag- giunta and Guittone, by Dante (Purg. C. xxiv.), must be understood as referring in great measure to their want of gram- matical purity and nobility of style, as we may judge when the passage is taken in conjunction with the principles of the De Viilgari Eloquio. However, Dante also attributes his own superiority to the fact of his writing only when love (or natural impulse) really prompted him, — the highest certainly of all laws relating to art : — " Io mi son un che quando Amor mi spira, noto, ed in quel modo Ch' ei detta dentro, vo significando." A translation does not suffer from such offences of dialect as may exist in its original ; and I think my readers will agree that, chargeable as he is with some conventionality of senti- ment, the Notary of Lentino is often not without his claims to beauty and feeling. There is a peculiar charm in the sonnet which stands first among my specimens. XII. Mazzeo di Ricco, da Messina, 1250. XIII. Pannuccio dal Bagno, Pisano, 1250. 1 66 Table of Poets in Part II. XIV. Giacomino Pugliesi, Knight of Prato, 1250. Of this poet there seems nothing to be learnt ; but he de- serves special notice as possessing rather nlore poetic individu- ality than usual, and also as furnishing the only instance, among Dante's predecessors, of a poem (and a very beautiful one) written on a lady's death. XV. Fra Guittone d'Arezzo, 1250. Guittone was not a monk, but derived the prefix to his name from the fact of his belonging to the religious and military order of Cavalieri di Santa Maria. He seems to have enjoyed a greater literary reputation than almost any writer of his day ; but certainly his poems, of which many have been preserved, cannot be said to possess merit of a prominent kind ; and Dante shows by various allusions that he considered them much over- rated. The sonnet I have given is somewhat remarkable, from Petrarch's having transplanted its last line into his Trio7iJi (V Ainore (cap. iii.). Guittone is the author of a series of Italian letters to various eminent persons, which are the earliest known epistolary writings in the language. XVI. Bartolomeo di Sant' Angelo, 1250. XVII. Saladino da Pavia, 1250. XVIII. Bonaggiunta Urbiciani, da Lucca, 1250. XIX. Meo Abbracciavacca, da Pistoia, 1250. XX. Ubaldo di Marco, 1250. XXI. SiMBuoNo Giudice, 1250. XXII. Masolino da Todi, 1250. XXIII. Onesto di Boncima, Bolognese, 1250. Onesto was a doctor of laws, and an early friend of Cino da Pistoia. He was living as late as 1301, though his career as a poet may be fixed somewhat further back. XXIV. Terino da Castel Fiorentino, 1250. XXV. Maestro Migliore, da Fiorenza, 1250. XXVI. Dello da Signa, 1250. XXVII. Folgore da San Geminl\no, 1250. Table of Poets in Part II. 1 6j XXVIII. Guido delle Colonne, 1250. This Sicilian poet has few equals among his contemporaries, and is ranked high by Dante in his treatise De Vulgari Eloquio. He visited England, and wrote in Latin a Historia de regions et rebus Afig/i(Z, as well as a Historia destructionis Trojce. XXIX. Pier Moronelli, di Fiorenza, 1250. XXX. CiuNCio Fiorentino, 1250. XXXI. Ruggieri di Amici, Siciliano, 1250. XXXII. Carnino Ghiberti, da Fiorenza, 1250. XXXIII. Prinzivalle Doria, 1250. Prinzivalle commenced by writing Italian poetry, but after- wards composed verses entirely in Provenga!, for the love of Beatrice, Countess of Provence. He wrote also, in Provengal prose, a treatise "On the dainty Madness of Love," and another " On the War of Charles, King of Naples, against the tyrant Manfredi." He held various high offices, and died at Naples in 1276. XXXIV. Rustico di Filippo; born about 1200; died, 1270. The writings of this Tuscan poet (called also Rustico Bar- buto) show signs of more vigor and versatility than was common in his day, and he probably began writing in Italian verse even before many of those already mentioned. In his old age, he, though a Ghibelline, received the dedication of the Tesoretto from the Guelf Brunetto Latini, who there pays him unqualified homage for surpassing worth in peace and war. It is strange that more should not be known regarding this doubtless remark- able man. His compositions have sometimes much humor, and on the whole convey the impression of an active and ener- getic nature. Moreover, Trucchi pronounces some of them to be as pure in language as the poems of Dante or Guido Cavalcanti, though written thirty or forty years earlier. XXXV. PUCCLARELLO Dl FIORENZA, I260. XXXVI. Albertuccio della Viola, 1260. XXXVII. Tommaso Buzzuola, da Faenza, 1280. XXXVIII. NOFFO BONAGUIDO, I280. XXXIX. Lippo Paschi de' Bardi, 1280. 1 68 Table of Poets in Part IL XL. Ser Pace, Notaio da Fiorenza, 1280. XLI. Niccolò degli Albizzi, 1300. The noble Florentine family of Albizzi produced writers of poetry in more than one generation. The vivid and admirable sonnet which I have translated is the only one I have met with by Niccolò. I must confess my inability to trace the circum- stances which gave rise to it. XLII. Francesco da Barberino ; born, 1264 ; died, 1348. With the exception of Brunetto Latini (whose poems are neither very poetical nor well adapted for extract), Francesco da Barberino shows by far the most sustained productiveness among the poets who preceded Dante, or were contemporaries of his youth. Though born only one year in advance of Dante, Barberino seems to have undertaken, if not completed, his two long poetic treatises, some years before the commencement of the Cojnjuedia. This poet was born at Barberino di Valdelsa, of a noble family, his father being Neri di Rinuccio da Barberino. Up to the year of his father's death, 1296, he pursued the study of law chiefly in Bologna and Padua; but afterwards removed to Florence for the same purpose, and seems to have been there, even earlier, one of the many distinguished disciples of Brunetto Latini, who probably had more influence than any other one man in forming the youth of his time to the great things they accomplished. After this he travelled in France and elsewhere; and on his return to Italy in 13 13, was the first who, by special favor of Pope Clement V., received the grade of Doctor of Laws in Florence. Both as lawyer and as citizen, he held great trusts and discharged them honorably. He was twice married, the name of his second wife being Barna di Tano, and had several children. At the age of eighty-four he died in the great Plague of Florence. Of the tw^o works which Barberino has left, one bears the title of Documenti cf Amore, literally " Documents of Love," but perhaps more properly rendered as " Laws of Cour- tesy ; " while the other is called Del Reggimento e dei Costumi delle Donne, — "Of the Government and Conduct of Women." They may be described, in the main, as manuals of good breed- ing, or social chivalry, the one for men and the other for wo- men. Mixed with vagueness, tediousness, and not seldom with artless absurdity, they contain much simple wisdom, much curi- ous record of manners, and (as my specimens show) occasional poetic sweetness or power, though these last are far from being their most prominent merits. The first-named treatise, however, has much more of such qualities than the second ; and contains, moreover, passages of homely humor which startle by their truth Table of Poets in Part IL 169 as if written yesterday. At the same time, the second book is quite as well worth reading, for the sake of its authoritative minuteness in matters which ladies, now-a-days, would probably consider their own undisputed region ; and also for the quaint gravity of certain surprising prose anecdotes of real life, with which it is interspersed. Both these works remained long un- printed, the first edition of the Documenti cf Amore being that edited by Ubaldini in 1640, at which time he reports the ^\eg- gimento, etc., to be only possessed by his age " in name and in desire." This treatise was afterwards brought to light, but never printed till 181 5. I should not forget to state that Bar- berino attained some knowledge of drawing, and that Ubaldini had seen his original MS. of the Documenti, containing, as he says, skilful miniatures by the author. Barberino never appears to have taken a very active part in politics, but he inclined to the Imperial and Ghibelline party. This contributes with other things to render it rather singular that we find no poetic correspondence or apparent communi- cation of any kind between him and his many great country- men, contemporaries of his long life, and with whom he had more than one bond of sympathy. His career stretched from Dante, Guido Cavalcanti, and Gino da Pistoia, to Petrarca and Boccaccio; yet only in one respectful but not enthusiastic notice of him by the last-named writer {Genealogia degli Dei), do we ever meet with an allusion to him by any of the greatest men of his time. Nor in his own writings, as far as I remem- ber, are they ever referred to. His epitaph is said to have been written by Boccaccio, but this is doubtful. For some interesting notices of, and translations from, Bar- berino, I may refer the reader to the tract on " Italian Courtesy Books," by my brother W. M. Rossetti, issued by the Early English Text Society. XLIII. Fazio degli Uberti, 1326-60. The dates of this poet's birth and death are not ascertainable, but I have set against his name two dates which result from his writings as belonging to his lifetime. He was a member of that great house of the Uberti which was driven from Florence on the expulsion of the Ghibellines in 1267, and which was ever afterwards specially excluded by name from the various amnes- ties offered from time to time to the exiled Florentines. His grandfather was Farinata degli Uberti, whose stern nature, un- yielding even amid penal fires, has been recorded by Dante in the tenth canto of the hiferno. Farinata's son Lapo, himself a poet, was the father of Fazio (/. e. Bonifazio), who was no doubt born in the lifetime of Dante, and in some place of exile, but where is not known. In his youth he was enamoured of a cer- 1 70 Table of Poets in Part II. tain Veronese lady named Angiola, and was afterwards married, but whether to her or not is again among the uncertainties. Certain it is that he had a son named Leopardo, who, after his father's death at Verona, settled in Venice, where his descend- ants maintained an honorable rank for the space of two suc- ceeding centuries. Though Fazio appears to have suffered sometimes from poverty, he enjoyed high reputation as a poet, and is even said, on the authority of various early writers, to have publicly received the laurel crown ; but in what city of Italy this took place we do not learn. There is much beauty in several of Fazio's lyrical poems, of which, however, no great number have been preserved. The finest of all is the Canzone which I have translated ; whose ex- cellence is such as to have procured it the high honor of being attributed to Dante, so that it is to be found in most editions of the Canzoniere ; and as far as poetic beauty is concerned, it must be allowed to hold even there an eminent place. Its style, however (as Monti was the first to point out in our own day, though Ubaldini, in his Glossary to Barberino, had already quoted it as the work of Fazio), is more particularizing than ac- cords with the practice of Dante; while, though certainly more perfect than any other poem by Fazio, its manner is quite his ; bearing especially a strong resemblance throughout in structure to one canzone, where he speaks of his love with minute refer- ence to the seasons of the year. Moreover, Fraticelli tells us that it is not attributed to Dante in any one of the many ancient MSS. he had seen, but has been fathered on him solely on the authority of a printed collection of 15 18. This contested Can- zone is well worth fighting for ; and the victor would deserve to receive his prize at the hands of a peerless Queen of Beauty, for never was beauty better described. I beheve we may de- cide that the triumph belongs by right to Fazio. An exile by inheritance, Fazio seems to have acquired rest- less tastes ; and in the latter years of his life (which was pro- longed to old age), he travelled over a great part of Europe, and composed his long poem e^niitXtd II Ditta7no7tdo, — "The Song of the World." This work, though by no means con- temptible in point of execution, certainly falls far short of its conception, which is a grand one ; the topics of which it treats in great measure, — geography and natural history, — render- ing it in those days the native home of all credulities and mon- strosities. In scheme it was intended as an earthly parallel to Dante's Sacred Poem, doing for this world what he did for the other. At Fazio's death it remained unfinished, but I should think by very little ; the plan of the work seeming in the main ac- complished. The whole earth (or rather all that was then known of it) is traversed, — its surface and its history, — ending with the Holy Land, and thus bringing Man's world as near as may Table of Poets in Part IL 1 7 r be to God's ; that is, to the point at which Dante's office be- gins. No conception could well be nobler, or worthier even now of being dealt with by a great master. To the work of such a man, Fazio's work might afford such first materials as have usually been furnished beforehand to the greatest poets by some unconscious steward. XLIV. Franco SACCHEni ; born, 1335; died, shortlv AFTER 1400. This excellent writer is the only member of my gathering who was born after the death of Dante, which event (in 1321) preceded Franco's birth by some fourteen years. I have in- troduced a few specimens of his poetry, partly because their attraction was irresistible, but also because he is the earliest Italian poet with whom playfulness is the chief characteristic ; for even with Boccaccio, in his poetry, this is hardly the case, and we can but ill accept as playfulness the cynical humor of Cecco Angiolieri : perhaps Rustico di Filippo alone might put in claims to priority in this respect. However, Franco Sacchetti wrote poems also on political subjects ; and had he belonged more strictly to the period of which I treat, there is no one who would better have deserved abundant selection. Besides his poetry, he is the author of a well-known series of three hundred stories ; and Trucchi gives a list of prose works by him which are still in MS., and whose subjects are genealogical, historical, natural-historical, and even theological. He was a prolific writer, and one who well merits complete and careful publica- tion. The pieces which I have translated, like many others of his, are written for music. Franco Sacchetti was a Florentine noble by birth, and was the son of Benci di Uguccione Sacchetti. Between this family and the Alighieri there had been a veitdetta of long standing (spoken of here in the Appendix to Part I.), but which was probably set at rest before Franco's time, by the deaths of at least one Alighieri and two Sacchetti. After some years passed in study. Franco devoted himself to commerce, like many nobles of the republic, and for that purpose spent some time in Scla- vonia, whose uncongenial influences he has recorded in an amus- ing poem. As his literary fame increased, he was called to many important offices ; was one of the Priori in 1383, and for some time was deputed to the government of Faenza, in the absence of its lord, Astorre Manfredi. He was three times married; to Felice degli Strozzi, to Ghita Gherardini, and to Nannina di Santi Bruni. XLV. Anonymous Poems. 172 e ini lo d' Alcamo, CIULLO D' ALCAMO. Dialogue, Lover and Lady. He. Thou sweetly-smelling fresh red rose That near thy summer art, Of whom each damsel and each dame Would fain be counterpart ; Oh ! from this fire to draw me forth Be it in thy good heart : For night or day there is no rest with me, Thinking of none, my lady, but of thee. She. If thou hast set thy thoughts on me, Thou hast done a foolish thing. Yea, all the pine-wood of this world Together might'st thou bring, And make thee ships, and plough the sea Therewith for corn-sowing, Ere any way to win me could be found : For I am going to shear my locks all round. He. Lady, before thou shear thy locks I hope I may be dead : For I should lose such joy thereby And gain such grief instead. Merely to pass and look at thee. Rose of the garden-bed. Has comforted me much, once and again. Oh ! if thou wouldst but love, what were it then Giulio d' Alcamo. I73 She. Nay, though my heart were prone to love, I would not grant it leave. Hark ! should my father or his kin But find thee here this eve, Thy loving body and lost breath Our moat may well receive. Whatever path to come here thou dost know, By the same path I counsel thee to go. He. And if thy kinsfolk find me here, Shall I be drowned then ? Marry, I '11 set, for price against my head, Two thousand agostari. I think thy father would not do 't For all his lands in Bari. Long life to the Emperor ! Be God's the praise ! Thou hear'st, my beauty, what thy servant says She. And am I then to have no peace Morning or evening.'* I have strong coffers of my own And much good gold therein ; So that if thou couldst offer me The wealth of Saladin, And add to that the Soldan's money-hoard, Thy suit would not be anything toward. He. I have known many women, love, Whose thoughts were high and proud. And yet have been made gentle by Man's speech not over-loud. If we but press ye long enough, At length ye will be bow'd ; For still a woman 's weaker than a man. When the end comes, recall how this began. She. God grant that I may die before Any such end do come, — Before the sight of a chaste maid Seem to me troublesome ! 74 Giulio d' Alcamo. I marked thee here all yestereve Lurking about my home, And now I say, Leave climbing, lest thou fall, For these thy words delight me not at all. He. How many are the cunning chains Thou hast wound round my heart ! Only to think upon thy voice Sometimes I groan apart. For I did never love a maid Of this world, as thou art, So much as I love thee, thou crimson rose. Thou wilt be mine at last : this my soul knows. She. If I could think it would be so, Small pride it were of mine That all my beauty should be meant But to make thee to shine. Sooner than stoop to that, I 'd shear These golden tresses fine, And make one of some holy sisterhood; Escaping so thy love, which is not good. He. If thou unto the cloister fly, Thou cruel lady and cold, Unto the cloister I will come And by the cloister hold ; For such a conquest liketh me Much better than much gold ; At matins and at vespers I shall be Still where thou art. Have I not conquered thee ? She. Out and alack ! wherefore am I Tormented in suchwise ? Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour, In whom my best hope lies, O give me strength that I may hush This vain man's blasphemies ! Let him seek through the earth ; 't is long and broad He will find fairer damsels, O my God ! Giulio d^ Alcamo. 175 He. I have sought through Calabria, Lombardy, and Tuscany, Rome, Pisa, Lucca, Genoa, Ali between sea and sea : Yea, even to Babylon I went And distant Barbary : But not a woman found I anywhere Equal to thee, who art indeed most fair. She. If thou have all this love for me, Thou canst no better do Than ask me of my father dear And my dear mother too : They willing, to the abbey-church We will together go, And, before Advent, thou and I will wed ; After the which, I '11 do as thou hast said. He. These thy conditions, lady mine. Are altogether nought : Despite of them, I '11 make a net Wherein thou shalt be caught. What, wilt thou put on wings to fly ? Nay, but of wax they 're wrought, — They '11 let thee fall to earth, not rise with thee So, if thou canst, then keep thyself from me. She. Think not to fright me with thy nets And suchlike childish gear ; I am safe pent within the walls Of this strong castle here ; A boy before he is a man Could give me as much fear. If suddenly thou get not hence again, It is my prayer thou mayst be found and slain. He. Wouldst thou in very truth that I Were slain, and for thy sake Ì Then let them hew me to such mince As a man's limbs may make ! 176 Ciidlo d' Alcamo. But meanwhile I shall not stir hence Till of that fruit I take Which thou hast in thy garden, ripe enough : All day and night I thirst to think thereof. She. None have partaken of that fruit, Not Counts nor Cavaliers : Though many have reached up for it, Barons and great Seigneurs, They all went hence in wrath because They could not make it theirs. Then how canst thoti think to succeed alone Who hast not a thousand ounces of thine own ? He. How many nosegays I have sent Unto thy house, sweet soul! At least till I am put to proof. This scorn of thine control. For if the wind, so fair for thee, Turn ever and wax foul, Be sure that thou shalt say when all is done, " Now is my heart heavy for him that 's gone." She. If by my grief thou couldst be grieved, God send me a grief soon ! I tell thee that though all my friends Prayed me as for a boon, Saying, " Even for the love of us, Love thou this worthless loon," Thou shouldst not have the thing that thou dost hope. No, verily ; not for the realm o' the Pope. He. Now could I wish that I in truth Were dead here in thy house : My soul would get its vengeance then ; Once known, the thing would rouse A rabble, and they 'd point and say, — " Lo ! she that breaks her vows, And, in her dainty chamber, stabs ! " Love, see : One strikes just thus : it is soon done, pardie ! Ciullo d' Alcamo. 177 She. If now thou do not hasten hence (My curse companioning), That my stout friends will find thee here Is a most certain thing : After the which, my gallant sir Thy points of reasoning May chance, I think, to stand thee in small stead. Thou hast no friend, sweet friend, to bring thee aid. He. Thou sayest truly, saying that I have not any friend : A landless stranger, lady mine, None but his sword defend. One year ago, my love began, And now, is this the end? Oh ! the rich dress thou worest on that day Since when thou art walking at my side alway ! She. So 't was my dress enamoured thee ! What marvel ? I did wear A cloth of samite silver-flowered, And gems within my hair. But one more word; if on Christ's Book To wed me thou didst swear, There 's nothing now could win me to be thine : I had rather make my bed in the sea-brine. He. And if thou make thy bed therein. Most courteous lady and bland, I '11 follow all among the waves, Paddling with foot and hand ; Then, when the sea hath done with thee, I '11 seek thee on the sand. For I will not be conquered in this strife : I '11 wait, but win ; or losing, lose my life. She. For Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Three times I cross myself. Thou art no godless heretic, Nor Jew, whose God 's his pelf : 78 Ciullo cf Alcamo. Even as I know it then, meseems, Thou needs must know thyself That woman, when the breath in her doth cease, Loseth all savor and all loveliness. He. Woe 's me ! Perforce it must be said No craft could then avail : So that if thou be thus resolved, I know my suit must fail. Then have some pity, of thy grace ! Thou mayst, love, very well ; For though thou love not me, my love is such That 't is enough for both — yea overmuch. She. Is it even so ì Learn then that I Do love thee from my heart. To-morrow, early in the day, Come here, but now depart. By thine obedience in this thing I shall know what thou art, And if thy love be real or nothing worth : Do but go now, and I am thine henceforth. He. Nay, for such promise, my own life, I will not stir a foot. l 've said, if thou wouldst tear away My love even from its root, I have a dagger at my side Which thou mayst take to do 't : But as for going hence, it will not be. O hate me not ! my heart is burning me. She. Think'st thou I know not that thy heart Is hot and burns to death.? Of all that thou or I can say. But one word succoreth. Till thou upon the Holy Book Give me thy bounden faith, God is my witness that I will not yield : For with thy sword "t were better to be kill'd. Giulio d' Alcamo. 179 He. Then on Christ's Book, borne with me still To read from and to pray, (I took it, fairest, in a church The priest being gone away), I swear that my whole self shall be Thine always from this day. And now at once give joy for all my grief, Lest my soul fly, that 's thinner than a leaf. She. Now that this oath is sworn, sweet lord. There is no need to speak : My heart, that was so strong before. Now feels itself grow weak. If any of my words were harsh. Thy pardon : I am meek Now, and will give thee entrance presently. It is best so, sith so it was to be. i8o Folcachiero de Folcachieri. FOLCACHIERO DE' FOLCACHIERI, KNIGHT OF SIENA. Canzone. He speaks of his Condition through Love. All the whole world is living without war, And yet I cannot find out any peace. God ! that this should be ! God! what does the earth sustain me for? My life seems made for other lives' ill-ease : All men look strange to me ; Nor are the wood-flowers now As once, when up above The happy birds in love Made such sweet verses, going from bough to bough. And if I come where other gentlemen Bear arms, or say of love some joyful thing — Then is my grief most sore, And all my soul turns round upon me then : Folk also gaze upon me, whispering. Because I am not what I was before. 1 know not what I am. I know how wearisome My life is now become, And that the days I pass seem all the same. 1 think that I shall die ; yea, death begins ; Though 't is no set-down sickness that I have, Nor are my pains set down. But to wear raiment seems a burden since This came, nor ever any food I crave ; Not any cure is known To me, nor unto whom I might commend my case : This evil therefore stays Still where it is, and hope can find no room. Folcaci liero de Folcacìiieri. i8i I know that it must certainly be Love : No other Lord, being thus set over me, Had judged me to this curse ; With such high hand he rules, sitting above, That of myself he takes two parts in fee, Only the third being hers. Yet if through service I Be justified with God, He shall remove this load, Because my heart with inmost love doth sigh. Gentle my lady, after I am gone, There will not come another, it may be, To show thee love like mine : For nothing can I do, neither have done, Except what proves that I belong to thee And am a thing of thine. Be it not said that I Despaired and perished, then ; But pour thy grace, like rain. On him who is burned up, yea, visibly. 1 82 Lodovico della Vernaccia. LODOVICO DELLA VERNACCIA. Sonnet. He exhorts the State to vigilance. Think a brief while on the most marvellous arts Of our high-purposed labor, citizens ; And having thought, draw clear conclusion thence And say, do not ours seem but childish parts ? Also on these intestine sores and smarts Ponder advisedly ; and the deep sense Thereof shall bow your heads in penitence, And like a thorn shall grow into your hearts. If, of our foreign foes, some prince or lord Is now, perchance, some whit less troublesome, Shall the sword therefore drop into the sheath ? Nay, grasp it as the friend that warranteth : For unto this vile rout, our foes at home, Nothing is high or awful save the sword. Saint Francis of Assisi. 183 SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI. Cantica. Our Lord Christ : of Order} Set Love in order, thou that lovest Me. Never was virtue out of order found ; And though I fill thy heart desirously, By thine own virtue I must keep My ground: When to My love thou dost bring charity, Even she must come with order girt and gown'd. Look how the trees are bound To order, bearing fruit ; And by one thing compute. In all things earthly, order's grace or gain. All earthly things I had the making of Were numbered and were measured then by Me ; And each was ordered to its end by Love, Each kept, through order, clean for ministry. Charity most of all, when known enough, Is of her very nature orderly. Lo, now ! what heat in thee, Soul, can have bred this rout ? Thou putt'st all order out. Even this love's heat must be its curb and rein. 1 This speech occurs in a long poem on Divine Love, half ecstatic, half scholastic, and hardly appreciable now. The passage stands well by itself, and is the only one spoken by our Lord. 184 Frederick IL FREDERICK IL EMPEROR. Canzone. Of his Lady in bondage. For grief I am about to sing, Even as another would for joy ; Mine eyes which the hot tears destroy Are scarce enough for sorrowing : To speak of such a grievous thing Also my tongue I must employ, Saying : Woe 's me, who am full of woes ! Not while I live shall my sighs cease For her in whom my heart found peace : I am become like unto those That cannot sleep for weariness, Now I have lost my crimson rose. And yet I will not call her lost ; She is not gone out of the earth ; She is but girded with a girth Of hate, that clips her in like frost. Thus says she every hour almost : — " When I was born, 't was an ill birth ! O that I never had been born. If I am still to fall asleep Weeping, and when I wake to weep; If he whom I must loathe and scorn Is still to have me his, and keep Smiling about me night and morn ! " O that I never had been born A woman ! a poor, helpless fool, Who can but stoop beneath the rule Of him she needs must loathe and scorn ! If ever I feel less forlorn, I stand all day in fear and dule, Frederick IL 185 Lest he discern it, and with rough Speech mock at me, or with his smile So hard you scarce could call it guile : No man is there to say, ' Enough.' O, but if God waits a long while, Death cannot always stand aloof ! " Thou, God the Lord, dost know all this : Give me a little comfort then. Him who is worst among bad men Smite thou for me. Those limbs of his Once hidden where the sharp worm is, Perhaps I might see hope again. Yet for a certain period Would I seem like as one that saith Strange things for grief, and murmureth With smitten palms and hair abroad : Still whispering under my held breath, ' Shall I not praise Thy name, O God ? ' " Thou, God the Lord, dost know all this : It is a very weary thing Thus to be always trembling : And till the breath of his life cease, The hate in him will but increase, And with his hate my suffering. Each morn I hear his voice bid them That watch me, to be faithful spies Lest I go forth and see the skies ; Each night, to each, he saith the same : — And in my soul and in mine eyes There is a burning heat like flame." Thus grieves she now : but she shall wear This love of mine, whereof I spoke, About her body for a cloak. And for a garland in her hair. Even yet : because I mean to prove, Not to speak only, this my love. 1 86 Enzo, King of Saj'dinia. ENZO, KING OF SARDINIA. Sonnet. On the Fitness of Seasons. There is a time to mount ; to humble thee A time ; a time to talk, and hold thy peace ; A time to labor, and a time to cease ; A time to take thy measures patiently ; A time to watch what Time's next step may be ; A time to make light count of menaces, And to think over them a time there is ; There is a time when to seem not to see. Wherefore I hold him well-advised and sage Who evermore keeps prudence facing him, And lets his life slide with occasion ; And so comports himself, through youth to age, That never any man at any time Can say, Not thus, but thus thou shouldst have done. Guido Guinicelli. 187 GUIDO GUINICELLI. I. Sonnet. Concerning Lucy. When Lucy draws her mantle round her face, So sweeter than all else she is to see, That hence unto the hills there lives not he Whose whole soul would not love her for her grace. Then seems she like a daughter of some race That holds high rule in France or Germany : And a snake's head stricken off suddenly Throbs never as then throbs my heart to embrace Her body in these arms, even were she loath ; — To kiss her lips, to kiss her cheeks, to kiss The lids of her two eyes which are two flames. Yet what my heart so longs for, my heart blames For surely sorrow might be bred from this Where some man's patient love abides its growth. II. Canzone. ^Dam^u^: <>yM^«u. Of the Gentle Heart. Within the gentle heart Love shelters him, As birds within the green shade of the grove. Before the gentle heart, in nature's scheme. Love was not, nor the gentle heart ere Love. For with the sun, at once, So sprang the light immediately ; nor was Its birth before the sun's. And Love hath his effect in gentleness Of very self ; even as Within the middle fire the heat's excess. 1 88 Guido Guinicelli. The fire of Love comes to the gentle heart Like as its virtue to a precious stone ; To which no star its influence can impart Till it is made a pure thing by the sun : For when the sun hath smit From out its essence that which there was vile, The star endoweth it. And so the heart created by God's breath Pure, true, and clean from guile, A woman, like a star, enamoureth. In gentle heart Love for like reason is For which the lamp's high flame is fanned and bow'd : Clear, piercing bright, it shines for its own bliss ; Nor would it burn there else, it is so proud. For evil natures meet With Love as it were water met with fire, As cold abhorring heat. Through gentle heart Love doth a track divine, — Like knowing like ; the same As diamond runs through iron in the mine. The sun strikes full upon the mud all day : It remains vile, nor the sun's worth is less. " By race I am gentle," the proud man doth say : He is the mud, the sun is gentleness. Let no man predicate That aught the name of gentlenes s shonid hpvg, . Jilyen in a king's es tate^ Except the heart there bé~Tgentle man's. The star-beam lights the wave, — Heaven holds the star and the star's radiance. God, in the understanding of high Heaven, Burns more than in our sight the living sun : There to behold His Face unveiled is given ; And Heaven, whose will is homage paid to One, Fulfils the things which live [In God, from the beginning excellent. So should my lady give That truth which in her eyes is glorified, On which her heart is bent, Jo me whose service waiteth at her side. >J^. f^ My lady, God shall ask, " What daredst thou ? (When my soul stands with all her acts review'd ;) "Thou passedst Heaven, into My sight, as now, To make Me of vain love similitude. Guido Guinicelli. 189 To me doth praise belong, And to the Queen of all the realm of grace Who slayeth fraud and wrong." Then may I plead : " As though from Thee he came, Love wore an angePs face :-> CZ>a-o#^ ^ ^j»-v\jtJ^(LU àjL 9 l-iìJUIuU^kjLA Lord, if I loved her, count it not my shame." .jok* in. Sonnet. He will praise his Lady. Yea, let me praise my lady whom I love, Likening her unto the lily and rose : Brighter than morning star her visage glows ; She is beneath even as her Saint above ; She is as the air in summer which God wove Of purple and of vermilion glorious ; As gold and jewels richer than man knows. Love's self, being love for her, must holier prove. Ever as she walks she hath a sober grace, Making bold men abashed and good men glad ; If she delight thee not, thy heart must err. No man dare look on her, his thoughts being base : Nay, let me say even more than I have said ; — No man could think base thoughts who looked on her. IV. Canzone. He perceives his Rashness in Love^ but has no choice. ■ I HOLD him, verily, of mean emprise. Whose rashness tempts a strength too great to bear ; As I have done, alas ! who turned mine eyes Upon those perilous eyes of the most fair. Unto her eyes I bow'd ; No need her other beauties in that hour Should aid them, cold and proud : As when the vassals of a mighty lord, What time he needs his power, Are all girt round him to make strong his sword. With such exceeding force the stroke was dealt That by mine eyes its path might not be stay'd ; But deep into the heart it pierced, which felt The pang of the sharp wound, and waxed afraid : IQO Guido Gumicelli, Then rested in strange wise, As when some creature utterly outworn Sinks into bed and lies. And she the while doth in no manner care, But goes her way in scorn, Beholding herself alway proud and fair. And she may be as proud as she shall please, For she is still the fairest woman found : A sun she seems among the rest ; and these Have all their beauties in her splendor drown'd. In her is every gi'ace, — Simplicity of wisdom, noble speech. Accomplished loveliness ; All earthly beauty is her diadem, This truth my song would teach, — My lady is of ladies chosen gem. Love to my lady's service yieldeth me, — Will I, or will I not, the thing is so, — Nor other reason can I say or see, Except that where it lists the wind doth blow. He rules and gives no sign ; Nor once from her did show of love upbuoy This passion which is mine. It is because her virtue's strength and stir So fill her full of joy That I am glad to die for love of her. V. Sonnet. -r V Of Moderation and Tolerance. He that has grown to wisdom hurries not, But thinks and weighs what Reason bids him do ; And after thinking he retains his thought Until as he conceived the fact ensue. Let no man to o'erweening pride be wrought, But count his state as Fortune's gift and due. He is a fool who deems that none has sought The truth, save he alone, or knows it true. Many strange birds are on the air abroad. Nor all are of one flight or of one force. But each after his kind dissimilar : To each was portioned of the breath of God, Who gave them divers instincts from one source. Then judge not thou thy fellows what they are. Guido Guinicelli. 191 VI. Sonnet. Of Human Presumption. Among my thoughts I count it wonderful, How foolishness in man should be so rife That masterly he takes the world to wife As though no end were set unto his rule : In labor alway that his ease be full, As though there never were another life ; Till Death throws all his order into strife, And round his head his purposes doth pull. And evermore one sees the other die, And sees how all conditions turn to change, Yet in no wise may the blind wretch be heal'd. I therefore say, that sin can even estrange Man's very sight, and his heart satisfy To live as lives a sheep upon the field. 192 Guerzo di Montecaitti. GUERZO DI MONTECANTI. Sonnet. He is out of heart with his Time. If any man would know the very cause Which makes me to forget my speech in rhyme. All the sweet songs I sang in other time, — I '11 tell it in a sonnet's simple clause. I hourly have beheld how good withdraws To nothing, and how evil mounts the while : Until my heart is gnawed as with a file. Nor aught of this world's worth is what it was. At last there is no other remedy But to behold the universal end ; And so upon this hope my thoughts are urged To whom, since truth is sunk and dead at sea. There has no other part or prayer remain'd, Except of seeing the world's self submerged. Inghilfredi, Siciliano. 193 INGHILFREDI, SICILIANO. Canzone. He rebukes the Evil of that Time. Hard is it for a man to please all men : I therefore speak in doubt. And as one may that looketh to be chid. But who can hold his peace in these days .'* — when Guilt cunningly slips out, And Innocence atones for what he did ; When worth is crushed, even if it be not hid ; When on crushed worth, guile sets his foot to rise; And when the things wise men have counted wise Make fools to smile and stare and lift the lid. Let none who have not wisdom govern you : For he that was a fool At first shall scarce grow wise under the sun. And as it is, my whole heart bleeds anew To think how hard a school Young hope grows old at. as these seasons run. Behold, sirs, we have reached this thing for one : — The lord before his servant bends the knee, And service puts on lordship suddenly. Ye speak o' the end ì Ye have not yet begun. I would not have ye without counsel ta'en Follow my words ; nor meant, If one should talk and act not, to praise him. But who, being much opposed, speaks not again, Confesseth himself shent And put to silence, — by some loud-mouthed mime, Perchance, for whom I speak not in this rhyme. Strive what ye can ; and if ye cannot all, Yet should not your hearts fall : The fruit commends the flower in God's good time. 194 Inghilfredi, Siciliano. (For without fruit the flower delights not God : ) Wherefore let him whom Hope Puts off, remember time is not gone by. Let him say calmly : " Thus far on this .road A foolish trust buoyed up My soul, and made it like the summer fly Burned in the flame it seeks : even so was I : But now I '11 aid myself : for still this trust, I find, falleth to dust : The fish gapes for the bait-hook, and doth die.' And yet myself, who bid ye do this thing, — Am I not also spurn'd By the proud feet of Hope continually ; Till that which gave me such good comforting Is altogether turn'd Unto a fire whose heat consumeth me ? I am so girt with grief that my thoughts be Tired of themselves, and from my soul I loathe Silence and converse both ; And my own face is what I hate to see. Because no act is meet now nor unmeet. He that does evil, men applaud his name, And the well-doer must put up with shame : Yea, and the worst man sits in the best seat. Rinaldo d* Aquino. 195 RINALDO D' AQUINO. I. Canzone, He is resolved to be joyful in Love. A THING is in my mind, — To have my joy again, Which I had almost put away from me. It were in foolish kind For ever to refrain From song, and renounce gladness utterly. Seeing that I am given into the rule Of Love, whom only pleasure makes alive, Whom pleasure nourishes and brings to growth : The wherefore sullen sloth Will he not suffer in those serving him ; But pleasant they must seem, That good folk love them and their service thrive ; Nor even their pain must make them sorrowful. So bear he him that thence The praise of men be gain'd, — He that would put his hope in noble Love ; For by great excellence Alone can be attain'd That amorous joy which wisdom may approve. The way of Love is this, righteous and just ; Then whoso would be held of good account, To seek the way of Love must him befit, — Pleasure, to wit. Through pleasure, man attains his worthiness : For he must please All men, so bearing him that Love may mount In their esteem ; Love's self being in his trust. 196 Rinaldo cV Aquino. Trustful in servitude I have been and will be, And loyal unto Love my whole life through. A hundred-fold of good Hath he not guerdoned me For what I have endured of grief and woe Since he hath given me unto one of whom Thus much he said, — thou mightest seek for aye Another of such worth, so beauteous. )<~ Joy therefore may keep house ^ In this my heart, that it hath loved so well. \X f Meseems I scarce could dwell ^ «"^ Ever in weary life or in dismay r\ If to true service still my heart gave room. Serving at her pleasànce Whose service pleasureth, I am enriched with all the wealth of Love. Song hath no utterance For my life's joyful breath Since in this lady's grace my homage throve. Yea, for I think it would be difficult One should conceive my former abject case : — Therefore have knowledge of me from this rhyme My penance-time Is all accomplished now, and all forgot, So that no jot Do I remember of mine evil days. It is my lady's will that I exult. Exulting let me take My joyful comfort, then, Seeing myself in so much blessedness. Mine ease even as mine ache Accepting, let me gain No pride towards Love ; but with all humbleness, Even still, my pleasurable service pay. For a good servant ne'er was left to pine : Great shall his guerdon be who greatly bears. But, because he that fears To speak too much, by his own silence shent, Hath sometimes made lament, — I am thus boastful, lady; being thine For homage and obedience night and day. Rinaldo d' Aquino. 197 II. Canzone. A Lady, in Spring, repents of her Coldness. Now, when it flowereth, And when the banks and fields Are greener every day, And sweet is each bird's breath, In the tree where he builds Singing after his way, — Spring comes to us with hasty step and brief. Everywhere in leaf. And everywhere makes people laugh and play. Love is brought unto me In the scent of the flower And in the bird's blithe noise When day begins to be, I hear in every bower New verses finding voice : From every branch around me and above, A minstrels' court of love, The birds contend in song about love's joys. What time I hear the lark And nightingale keep Spring, My heart will pant and yearn For love. (Ye all may mark The unkindly comforting Of fire that will not burn.) And, being in the shadow of the fresh wood, How excellently good A thing love is, I cannot choose but learn. Let me ask grace ; for I, Being loved, loved not again. Now springtime makes me love, And bids me satisfy The lover whose fierce pain I thought too lightly of : For that the pain is fierce I do feel now. And yet this pride is slow To free my heart, which pity would fain move. 198 Rinaldo (T Aqumo. Wherefore I pray thee, Love, That thy breath turn me o'er, Even as the wind a leaf; And I will set thee above This heart of mine, that's sore Perplexed, to be its chief. Let also the dear youth, whose passion must Henceforward have good trust, Be happy without words ; for words bring grief. yacopo da Leutino. 199 JACOPO DA LENTINO. Sonnet. Of his Lady in Heaven. I HAVE it in my heart to serve God so That into Paradise I shall repair, — The holy place though the which everywhere I have heard say that joy and solace flow. Without my lady I were loath to go, — She who has the bright face and the bright hair ; Because if she were absent, I being there, My pleasure would be less than nought, I know. Look you, I say not this to such intent As that I there would deal in any sin : I only would behold her gracious mien, And beautiful soft eyes, and lovely face. That so it should be my complete content To see my lady joyful in her place. II. Canzonetta. Of his Lady^ and of her Portrait. Marvellously elate. Love makes my spirit warm With noble sympathies : As one whose mind is set Upon some glorious form, To paint it as it is ; — I verily who bear Thy face at heart, most fair, Am like to him in this. 200 Jacopo da Lentiìw. Not outwardly declared, Within me dwells enclosed Thine image as thou art. Ah ! strangely hath it fared ! * I know not if thou know'st The love within my heart. Exceedingly afraid, My hope I have not said. But gazed on thee apart. Because desire was strong, I made a portraiture In thine own likeness, love : When absence has grown long, I gaze, till I am sure That I behold thee move; As one who purposeth To save himself by faith, Yet sees not, nor can prove. Then comes the burning pain: As with the man that hath A fire within his breast, — When most he struggles, then Most boils the flame in wrath, And will not let him rest. So still I burned and shook. To pass, and not to look In thy face, loveliest. For where thou art I pass, And do not hft mine eyes, Lady, to look on thee : But, as I go, alas ! With bitterness of sighs I mourn exceedingly. Alas ! the constant woe ! Myself I do not know. So sore it troubles me. And I have sung thy praise, Lady, and many times Have told thy beauties o'er. Hast heard in anyways, Perchance, that these my rhymes Are song-craft and no more ? Nay, rather deem, when thou Shalt see me pass and bow. These words I sicken for. Jacopo da Lentino. 201 Delicate song of mine, Go sing thou a new strain : Seek, with the first sunshine, Our lady, mine and thine, — The rose of Love's domain, Than red gold comelier. " Lady, in Love's name hark To Jacopo the clerk, Born in Lentino here." in. Sonnet. No Jewel is worth his Lady. Sapphire, nor 'diamond, nor emerald, Nor other precious stones past reckoning, Topaz, nor pearl, nor ruby like a king. Nor that most virtuous jewel, jasper call'd, Nor amethyst, nor onyx, nor basalt. Each counted for a very marvellous thing, Is half so excellently gladdening As is my lady's head uncoronall'd. All beauty by her beauty is made dim ; Like to the stars she is for loftiness ; And with her voice she taketh away grief. She is fairer than a bud, or than a leaf. Christ have her well in keeping, of His grace. And make her holy and beloved, like Him ! IV. Canzonetta. He will neither boast nor lament to his Lady. Love will not have me cry For grace, as others do ; Nor as they vaunt, that I Should vaunt my love to you. For service, such as all Can pay, is counted small ; Nor is it much to praise The thing which all must know ; — Such pittance to bestow On you my love gainsays. 202 yacopo da Lentino. Love lets me not turn shape As chance or use may strike ; As one may see an ape Counterfeit all alike. Then, lady, unto you Be it not mine to sue, For grace or pitying. Many the lovers be That of such suit are free, — It is a common thing. A gem, the more 't is rare, The more its cost will mount : And, be it not so fair, It is of more account. So, coming from the East, The sapphire is increased In worth, though scarce so bright ; I therefore seek thy face Not to solicit grace. Being cheapened and made slight. So is the colosmine Now cheapened, which in fame Was once so brave and fine, But now is a mean gem. So be such prayers for grace Not heard in any place ; Would they indeed hold fast Their worth, be they not said, Nor by true lovers made Before nine years be past. Lady, sans sigh or groan, My longing thou canst see ; Much better am I known Than to myself, to thee. And is there nothing else That in my heart avails For love but groan and sigh ? And wilt thou have it thus, This love betwixen us ì — Much rather let me die. Jacopo da Lentino. 203 V. Canzonetta. Of his Lady^ and of his making her Likeness. My Lady mine,^ I send 1 These sighs in joy to thee ; Though, loving till the end, There were no hope for me That I should speak my love ; And I have loved indeed, Though, having fearful heed, 1 It was not spoken of. '■• Thou art so high and great That whom I love I fear ; Which thing to circumstate I have no messenger : Wherefore to Love \ pray, On whom each lover cries. That these my tears and sighs Find unto thee a way. Well have I wished, when I At heart with sighs have ach'd, That there were in each sigh Spirit and intellect, The which, where thou dost sit. Should kneel and sue for aid, Since I am thus afraid And have no strength for it. Thou, lady, killest me, Yet keepest me in pain, For thou must surely see How, fearing, I am fain. Ah ! why not send me still Some solace, small and slight, So that I should not quite Despair of thy good will ? Thy grace, all else above, Even now while I implore, * Madonna mia. 204 yacopo da Lentino. Enamoureth my love To love thee still the more. Yet scarce should I know well A greater love to gain, Even if a greater pain, Lady, were possible. Joy did that day relax My grief's continual stress, When I essayed in wax Thy beauty's life-likeness. Ah ! much more beautiful Than golden-haired Yseult, — Who mak'st all men exult, Who bring'st all women dule. And certes without blame Thy love might fall to me. Though it should chance my name Were never heard of thee. Yea, for thy love, in fine, Lentino gave me birth. Who am not nothing worth If worthy to be thine. VL Sonnet. Of his Lady s face. Her face has made my life most proud and glad Her face has made my life quite wearisome ; It comforts me when other troubles come. And amid other joys it strikes me sad. Truly I think her face can drive me mad ; For now I am too loud, and anon dumb. There is no second face in Christendom Has a like power, nor shall have, nor has had. What man in living face has seen such eyes, Or such a lovely bending of the head, Or mouth that opens to so sweet a smile ? In speech, my heart before her faints and dies, And into Heaven seems to be spirited ; So that I count me blest a certain while. Jacopo da Lentino. 205 VII. Canzone. A t the end of his Hope. Remembering this — how Love Mocks me, and bids me hoard Mine ill reward that keeps me nigh to death, — How it doth still behove I suffer the keen sword, Whence undeplor'd I may not draw my breath ; In memory of this thing Sighing and sorrowing, I am languid at the heart For her to whom I bow. Craving her pity now, And who still turns apart. I am dying, and through her — This flower, from paradise Sent in some wise, that I might have no rest. Truly she did not err To come before his eyes Who fails and dies, by her sweet smile possess'd ; For, through her countenance (Fair brows and lofty glance !) I live in constant dule. Of lovers' hearts the chief For sorrow and much grief, My heart is sorrowful. For Love has made me weep With sighs that do him wrong, Since, when most strong my joy, he gave this woe. I am broken, as a ship Perishing of the song, Sweet, sweet and long, the song the sirens know. The mariner forgets, Voyaging in those straits. And dies assuredly. Yea, from her pride perverse. Who hath my heart as hers, Even such my death must be. I deemed her not so fell And hard but she would greet. From her high seat, at length, the love I bring; For I have loved her well ; — 2o6 yacopo da L enfino. Nor that her face so sweet In so much heat would keep me languishing; Seeing that she I serve All honor doth deserve For worth unparallel'd. Yet what availeth moan But for more grief alone ? O God ! that it avail'd ! Thou, my new song, shalt pray To her, who for no end Each day doth tend her virtues that they grow, Since she to love saith nay (More charms she had attain'd Than sea hath sand, and wisdom even so) ; — Pray thou to her that she For my love pity me, Since with my love I burn, — That of the fruit of love, While help may come thereof, She give to me in turn. Mazzeo di Ricco. 207 MAZZEO DI RICCO, DA MESSINA. I. Canzone. He solicits his Lady^s Pity. The lofty worth and lovely excellence, Dear lady, that thou hast, Hold me consuming in the fire of love : That I am much afeared and wildered thence, As who, being meanly plac'd, Would win unto some height he dreameth of. Yet, if it be decreed. After the multiplying of vain thought, By Fortune's favor he at last is brought To his far hope, the mighty bliss indeed. Thus, in considering thy loveliness, Love maketh me afear'd, — So high art thou, joyful, and full of good ; — And all the more, thy scorn being never less. Yet is this comfort heard, — That underneath the water fire doth brood, Which thing would seem unfit By law of nature. So may thy scorn prove Changed at the last, through pity into love, If favorable Fortune should permit. Lady, though I do love past utterance, Let it not seem amiss, Neither rebuke thou the enamoured eyes. Look thou thyself on thine own countenance, From that charm unto this, All thy perfection of sufficiencies. So shalt thou rest assured That thine exceeding beauty lures me on Perforce, as by the passive magnet-stone The needle, of its nature's self, is lured. 208 Mazzeo di Ricco. Certes, it was of Love's dispiteousness That I must set my life On thee, proud lady, who accept'st it not. And how should I attain unto thy grace, That falter, thus at strife To speak to thee the thing which is my thought ? Thou, lovely as thou art, I pray for God, when thou dost pass me by, Look upon me : so shalt thou certify. By my cheek's ailing, that which ails my heart. So thoroughly my love doth tend toward Thy love its lofty scope. That I may never think to ease my pain ; Because the ice, when it is frozen hard May have no further hope That it should ever become snow again. But, since Love bids me bend Unto thy seigniory. Have pity thou on me. That so upon thyself all grace descend. IL Canzone. After Six Yeaj's'' service he reiiotmces his Lady. I LABORED these six years For thee, thou bitter sweet ; Yea, more than it is meet That speech should now rehearse Or song should rhyme to thee ; But love gains never aught From thee, by depth or length ; Unto thine eyes such strength And calmness thou hast taught, That I say wearily : — " The child is most like me, Who thinks in the clear stream To catch the round flat moon And draw it all a-dripping unto him, — Who fancies he can take into his hand The flame o' the lamp, but soon Screams and is nigh to swoon At the sharp heat his flesh may not withstand. Mazzeo di Ricco. 209 Though it be late to learn How sore I was possest, Yet do I count me blest, Because I still can spurn This thrall which is so mean, For when a man, once sick, Has got his health anew. The fever which boiled through His veins, and made him weak, Is as it had not been. For all that I had seen, Thy spirit, like thy face. More excellently shone Than precious crystals in an untrod place. Go to : thy worth is but as glass, the cheat, Whicli, to gaze thereupon, Seems crystal, even as one, But only is a cunning counterfeit. Foiled hope has made me mad, As one who, playing high, Thought to grow rich thereby, And loses what he had. Yet I can now perceive How true the saying is That says : " If one turn back Out of an evil track Through loss which has been his, He gains, and need not grieve." To me now, by your leave, It chances as to him Who of his purse is free To one whose memory for such debts is dim. Long time he speaks no word thereof, being loath But having asked, when he Is answered slightingly, Then shall he lose his patience and be wroth. III. Sonnet. Of Self-seeing. If any his own foolishness might see As he can see his fellow's foolishness, His evil speakings could not but prove less. For his own fault would vex him inwardlv. 2 1 o Mazzeo di R icco . But, by old custom, each man deems that he Has to himself all this world's worthiness ; And thou, perchance, in blind contentedness, Scorn'st /iim, yet know'st not what /think of t/iee. Wherefore I wish it were so ordered That each of us might know the good that 's his, And also the ill, — his honor and his shame. For oft a man has on his proper head Such weight of sins, that, did he know but this, He could not for his life give others blame. Panmtccio dal Bagìto, 211 PANNUCCIO DAL BAGNO, PISANO. Canzone, Of his Chaìi^e throiigh Love. My lady, thy delightful high command, Thy wisdom's great intent, The worth which ever rules thee in thy sway (Whose righteousness of strength has ta'en in hand Such full accomplishment As height makes worthy of more height alway), Have granted to thy servant some poor due Of thy perfection ; who From them has gained a proper will so fix'd, With other thought unmix'd, That nothing save thy service now impels His life, and his heart longs for nothing else. Beneath thy pleasure, lady mine, I am : The circuit of my will. The force of all my life, to serve thee so : Never but only this I think or name, Nor ever can I fill My heart with other joy that man may know. And hence a sovereign blessedness I draw, Who soon most clearly saw That not alone my perfect pleasure is In this my life-service : But Love has made my soul with thine to touch Till my heart feels unworthy of so much. For all that I could strive, it were not worth That I should be uplift Into thy love, as certainly I know : Since one to thy deserving should stretch forth His love for a free gift, And be full fain to serve and sit below. 2 1 2 Pannuccio dal Bagno. And forasmuch as this is verity, It came to pass with thee That seeing how my love was not loud-tongued Yet for thy service long'd — As only thy pure wisdom brought to pass, — Thou knew'st my heart for only what it was. Also because thou thus at once didst learn This heart of mine and thine, With all its love for thee, which was and is ; Thy lofty sense that could so well discern Wrought even in me some sign Of thee, and of itself some emphasis. Which evermore might hold my purpose fast. For lo ! thy law is pass'd That this my love should manifestly be To serve and honor thee : And so I do : and my delight is full, Accepted for the servant of thy rule. Without almost, I am all rapturous, Since thus my will was set To serve, thou flower of joy, thine excellence: Nor ever seems it anything could rouse A pain or a regret, But on thee dwells mine every thought and sense ; Considering that from thee all virtues spread As from a fountain-head, — That in thy gift is wisdom's best avail And honor without fail ; With whom each sovereign good dwells separate Fulfilling the perfection of thy state. Lady, since I conceived Thy pleasurable aspect in my heart, My life has been apart In shining brightness and the place of truth ; Which till that time, good sooth, Groped among shadows in a darkened place Where many hours and days It hardly ever had remembered good. But now my servitude Is thine, and I am full of joy and rest. A man from a wild beast Thou madest me, since for thy love I lived. Giacomino Pugliesi. 213 GIACOMINO PUGLIESI, KNIGHT OF PRATO. I. Canzonetta. Of his Lady in Absence. The sweetly-favored face She has, and her good cheer, Have filled me full of grace When I have walked with her. They did upon that day : And everything that pass'd Comes back from first to last Now that I am away. There went from her meek mouth A poor low sigh which made My heart sink down for drouth. She stooped, and sobbed, and said, " Sir, I entreat of you Make little tarrying : It is not a good thing To leave one's love and go." But when I turned about Saying, " God keep you well ! " As she look'd up, I thought Her lips that were quite pale Strove much to speak, but she Had not half strength enough : My own dear graceful love Would not let go of me. 214 Giacomino Pugliesi. I am not so far, sweet maid, That now the old love 's unfelt I believe Tristram had No such love for Yseult : And when I see your eyes And feel your breath again, I shall forget this pain And my whole heart will rise. II. Canzonetta. To his Lady, in Spring. To see the green returning To stream-side, garden, and meadow. To hear the birds give warning, (The laughter of sun and shadow Awaking them full of revel). It puts me in strength to carol A music measured and level, This grief in joy to apparel ; For the deaths of lovers are evil. Love is a foolish riot. And to be loved is a burden ; Who loves and is loved in quiet Has all the world for his guerdon. Ladies on him take pity Who for their sake hath trouble : Yet, if any heart be a city From Love embarrèd double, Thereof is a joyful ditty. That heart shall be always joyful ; — But I in the heart, my lady. Have jealous doubts unlawful, And stubborn pride stands ready. Yet love is not with a measure. But still is willing to suffer Service at his good pleasure : The whole Love hath to offer Tends to his perfect treasure. Giacomino Pugliesi. 215 Thine be this prelude-music That was of thy commanding ; Thy gaze was not delusive, — Of my heart thou hadst understanding. Lady, by thine attemp'rance Thou heldst my life from pining : This tress thou gav'st, in semblance Like gold of the third refining, Which I do keep for remembrance. in. Canzone. Of his dead Lady. Death, why hast thou made life so hard to bear, Taking my lady hence ? Hast thou no whit Of shame ? The youngest flower and the most fair Thou hast plucked away, and the world wanteth it. O leaden Death, hast thou no pitying? Our warm love's very spring Thou stopp'st, and endest what was holy and meet ; And of my gladdening Mak'st a most woful thing, And in my heart dost bid the bird not sing That sang so sweet. Once the great joy and solace that I had Was more than is with other gentlemen : — Now is my love gone hence, who made me glad. With her that hope I lived in she hath ta'en. And left me nothing but these sighs and tears, — Nothing of the old years That come not back again, Wherein I was so happy, being hers. Now to mine eyes her face no more appears, Nor doth her voice make music in mine ears, As it did then. O God, why hast thou made my grief so deep ? Why set me in the dark to grope and pine .'* Why parted me from her companionship. And crushed the hope which was a gift of thine ? To think, dear, that I never any more Can see thee as before ! 2i6 Giacomino Pugliesi. Who is it shuts thee in ? Who hides that smile for which my heart is sore, And drowns those words that I am longing for, Lady of mine ? Where is my lady, and the lovely face She had, and the sweet motion when she walk'd? — Her chaste, mild favor — her so delicate grace — Her eyes, her mouth, and the dear way she talk'd ? Her courteous bending — her most noble air — The soft fall of her hair ? . . . My lady — she who to my soul so rare A gladness brought ! Now I do never see her anywhere, And may not, looking in her eyes, gain there The blessing which I sought. So if I had the realm of Hungary, With Greece, and all the Almayn even to France, Or Saint Sophia's treasure-hoard, you see All could not give me back her countenance. For since the day when my dear lady died From us (with God being born and glorified), No more pleasance Her image bringeth, seated at my side, But only tears. Ay me ! the strength and pride Which it brought once. Had I my will, beloved, I would say To God, unto whose bidding all things bow, That we were still ^:ogether night and day : Yet be it done as His behests allow. I do remember that while she remain'd With me, she often called me her sweet friend ; But does not now, Because God drew her towards Him, in the end. Lady, that peace which none but He can send Be thine. Even so. Fra Guittone d'' Arezzo. 217 FRA GUITTONE D' AREZZO. Sonnet. To the Blessed Virgm Mary. Lady of Heaven, the mother glorified Of glory, which is Jesus, — He whose death Us from the gates of Hell delivereth And our first parents' error sets aside : — Behold this earthly Love, how his darts glide — How sharpened — to what fate — throughout this earth ! Pitiful Mother, partner of our birth. Win these from following where his flight doth guide. And O, inspire in me that holy love Which leads the soul back to its origin, Till of all other love the link do fail. This water only can this fire reprove, — Only such cure suffice for suchlike sin ; As nail from out a plank is struck by nail. 2i8 Bartolomeo di Sunt' Angelo, BARTOLOMEO DI SANT' ANGELO. Sonnet. He jests concerning his Poverty. I AM so passing rich in poverty That I could furnish forth Paris and Rome, Pisa and Padua and Byzantium, Venice and Lucca, Florence and Forlì ; For I possess in actual specie, Of nihil and of nothing a great sum ; And unto this my hoard whole shiploads come, What between nought and zero, annually. In gold and precious jewels I have got A hundred ciphers' worth, all roundly writ ; And therewithal am free to feast my friend. Because I need not be afraid to spend, Nor doubt the safety of my wealth a whit : — No thief will ever steal thereof, God wot. Saladino da Pavia. 219 SALADINO DA PAVIA. Dialogue. Lover and Lady. She. Fair sir, this love of ours, In joy begun so well, I see at length to fail upon thy part : Wherefore my heart sinks very heavily. Fair sir, this love of ours Began with amorous longing, well I ween : Yea, of one mind, yea, of one heart and will This love of ours hath been. Now these are sad and still ; For on thy part at length it fails, I see. And now thou art gone from me, Quite lost to me thou art : Wherefore my heart in this pain languisheth, Which sinks it unto death thus heavily. He. Lady, for will of mine Our love had never changed in anywise. Had not the choice been thine With so much scorn my homage to despise. I swore not to yield sign Of holding 'gainst all hope my heart-service. Nay, let thus much suffice : — From thee whom I have serv'd, All undeserved contempt is my reward, — Rich prize prepared to guerdon fealty ! 220 Saladino da Pavia. She. Fair sir, it oft is found That ladies who would try their lovers so, Have for a season frown'd, Not from their heart but in mere outward show. Then chide not on such ground, Since ladies oft have tried their lovers so. Alas, but I will go. If now it be thy will. Yet turn thee still, alas ! for I do fear Thou lov'st elsewhere, and therefore fly'st from me. He. Lady, there needs no doubt Of my good faith, nor any nice suspense Lest love be elsewhere sought. For thine did yield me no such recompense, — Rest thou assured in thought, — That now, within my life's circumference, I should not quite dispense My heart from woman's laws. Which for no cause give pain and sore annoy, And for one joy a world of misery. Bonagghmta Urbiciani. 221 BONAGGIUNTA URBICIANI, DA LUCCA. I. Canzone. Of the true End of Love ; with a Prayer to his Lady. Never was joy or good that did not soothe And beget glorying, Neither a glorying without perfect love. Wherefore, if one would compass of a truth The flight of his soul's wing, To bear a loving heart must him behove. Since from the flower man still expects the fruit, And, out of love, that he desireth ; Seeing that by good faith Alone hath love its comfort and its joy; For, suffering falsehood, love were at the root Dead of all worth, which living must aspire ; Nor could it breed desire If its reward were less than its annoy. Even such the joy, the triumph, and pleasance, Whose issue honor is, And grace, and the m.ost delicate teaching sent To amorous knowledge, its inheritance ; Because Love's properties Alter not by a true accomplishment ; But it were scarcely well if one should gain, Without much pain so great a blessedness ; He errs, when all things bless, Whose heart had else been humbled to implore He gets not joy who gives no joy again ; Nor can v/in love whose love hath little scope ; Nor fully can know hope Who leaves not of the thing most languished for. 222 Bonaggmnta Urbicia7ii. Wherefore his choice must err immeasurably Who seeks the image when He might behold the thing substantial. I at the noon have seen dark night to be, Against earth's natural plan, And what was good to worst abasement fall. Then be thus much sufficient, lady mine ; If of thy mildness pity may be born, Count thou my grief outworn. And turn into sweet joy this bitter ill ; Lest I might change, if left too long to pine : As one who, journeying, in mid path should stay, And not pursue his way, But should go back against his proper will. Natheless I hope, yea trust, to make an end Of the beginning made, Even by this sign — that yet I triumph not. And if in truth, against my will constrain'd, To turn my steps essay'd, No courage have I, neither strength, God wot. Such is Love's rule, who thus subdueth me By thy sweet face, lovely and delicate ; Through which I live elate. But in such longing that I die for love. Ah ! and these words as nothing seem to be : For love to such a constant fear has chid My heart that I keep hid Much more than I have dared to tell thee of. n. Canzonetta. How he dreams of his Lady. Lady, my wedded thought. When to thy shape 't is wrought, Can think of nothing else But only of thy grace, And of those gentle ways Wherein thy life excels. For ever, sweet one, dwells Thine image on my sight (Even as it were the gem Whose name is as thy name),^ And fills the sense with light. 1 The lady was probably called Diamante, Margherita, or some similar name. (Note to Fior. Ed. 1816.) Bonaggiunta Urbiciani. 223 Continual ponderings That brood upon these things Yield constant agony : Yea, the same thoughts have crept About me as I slept. My spirit looks at me, And asks, " Is sleep for thee ? Nay, mourner, do not sleep, But fix thine eyes, for lo ! Love's fulness thou shalt know By steadfast gaze arid deep." Then, burning, I awake. Sore tempted to partake Of dreams that seek thy sight : Until, being greatly stirr'd, I turn to where I heard That whisper in the night ; And there a breath of hght Shines like a silver star. The same is mine own soul, Which lures me to the goal Of dreams that gaze afar. But now my sleep is lost ; And through this uttermost Sharp longing for thine eyes, At length it may be said That I indeed am mad With love's extremities. Yet when in such sweet wise Thou passest and dost smile, My heart so fondly burns, That unto sweetness turns Its bitter pang the while. Even so Love rends apart My spirit and my heart, Lady, in loving thee ; Till when I see thee now. Life beats within my brow And would be gone from me. So hear I ceaselessly. Love's whisper well fulfill'd — Even I am he, even so, Whose fia?ne thy heart doth know : And while I strive I yield. 224 Bonaggmnta Urbiciani. III. Sonnet. Of Wisdom and Foresight. Such wisdom as a little child displays Were not amiss in certain lords of fame : For where he fell, thenceforth he shuns the place, And having suffered blows, he feareth them. Who knows not this may forfeit all he sways At length, and find his friends go as they came. O therefore on the past time turn thy face, And, if thy will do err, forget the same. Because repentance brings not back the past : Better thy will should bend than thy life break : Who owns not this, by him shall it appear. And, because even from fools the wise may make Wisdom, the first should count himself the last, Since a dog scourged can bid the lion fear. IV. Sonnet. Of Cofitinence in Speech. Whoso abandons peace for war-seeking, 'T is of all reason he should bear the smart. Whoso hath evil speech, his medicine Is silence, lest it seem a hateful art. To vex the wasps' nest is not a wise thing; Yet who rebukes his neighbor in good part, A hundred years shall show his right therein. Too prone to fear, one wrongs another's heart. If ye but knew what may be known to me, Ye would fall sorry sick, nor be thus bold To cry among your fellows your ill thought. Wherefore I would that every one of ye Who thinketh ill, his ill thought should withhold If that ye would not hear it, speak it not. Meo Abbracciavacca. 225 MEO ABBRACCIAVACCA, DA PISTOIA. Canzone. He will be silent and watchful in his Love. Your joyful understanding, lady mine, Those honors of fair life Which all in you agree to pleasantness, Long since to service did my heart assign ; That never it has strife, Nor once remembers other means of grace ; But this desire alone gives light to it. Behold, my pleasure, by your favor, drew Me, lady, unto you. All beauty's and all joy's reflection here : From whom good women also have thought fit To take their life's example every day ; Whom also to obey My wish and will have wrought, with love and fear. With love and fear to yield obedience, I Might never half deserve : Yet you must know, merely to look on me, How my heart holds its love and lives thereby ; Though, well intent to serve, It can accept Love's arrow silently, T were late to wait, ere I would render plain My heart (thus much I tell you, as I should), Which, to be understood, Craves therefore the fine quickness of your glance. .* So shall you know my love of such high strain \\'i\^\^ As never yet was shown by its own will ; ^ V VvA^ Whose proffer is so still, .^^k W^ ^'' That love in heart hates love in cour^te?làac;le.\ .3 ^^v. \...- v^\\ 226 Meo Abbracciavacca. In countenance oft the heart is evident Full clad in mirth's attire, Wherein at times it overweens to waste : Which yet of selfish joy or foul intent Doth hide the deep desire, And is, of heavy surety, double-faced ; Upon things double therefore look ye twice. O ye that love ! not what is fair alone Desire to make your own, But a wise woman, fair in purity ; Nor think that any, without sacrifice Of his own nature, suffers service still ; But out of high free-will ; In honor propped, though bowed in dignity. In dignity as best I may, must I The guerdon very grand, The whole of it, secured in purpose, sing? Lady, whom all my heart doth magnify, You took me in your hand. Ah ! not ungraced with other guerdoning : For you of your sweet reason gave me rest From yearning, from desire, from potent pain ; Till, now, if Death should gain Me to his kingdom, it would pleasure me, Having obeyed the whole of your behest. Since you have drawn, and I am yours by lot^ I pray you doubt me not Lest my faith swerve, for this could never be. Could never be ; because the natural heart Will absolutely build Her dwelling-place within the gates of truth ; And, if it be no grief to bear her part, Why, then by change were fill'd The measure of her shame beyond all ruth. And therefore no delay shall once disturb My bounden service, nor bring grief to it ; Nor unto you deceit. True virtue her provision first affords, Ere she yield grace, lest afterward some curb Or check should come, and evil enter in : For always shame and sin Stand covered, ready, full of faithful words. Meo Abbracciavacca. 227 II. Ballata. His Life is by Contraries, By the long sojourning That I have made with grief, I am quite changed, you see ; — If I weep, 'tis for glee ; I smile at a sad thing ; Despair is my relief. Good hap makes me afraid ; Ruin seems rest and shade ; In May the year is old ; With friends I am ill at ease ; Among foes I find peace ; At noonday I feel cold. The thing that strengthens others, frightens me. If I am grieved, I sing ; I chafe at comforting ; 111 fortune makes me smile exultingly. And yet, though all my days are thus, — despite A shaken mind, and eyes Which see by contraries, — I know that without wings is an ill flight. 228 Ubaldo di Marco. UBALDO DI MARCO. Sonnet. Of a Lad/s Love for him. My body resting in a haunt of mine, I ranged among alternate memories ; What while an unseen noble lady's eyes Were fixed upon me, yet she gave no sign ; To stay and go she sweetly did incline, Always afraid lest there were any spies ; Then reached to me, — and smelt it in sweet wise, And reached to me — some sprig of bloom or bine. Conscious of perfume, on my side I leant. And rose upon my feet, and gazed around To see the plant whose flower could so beguile. Finding it not, I sought it by the scent ; And by the scent, in truth, the plant I found, And rested in its shadow a great while. Simbuono Giudice. 229 SIMBUONO GIUDICE. Canzone. He finds that Love has beguiled him, but will trust i?i his Lady. Often the day had a most joyful morn That bringeth grief at last Unto the human heart which deemed all well : Of a sweet seed the fruit was often born That hath a bitter taste : Of mine own knowledge, oft it thus befell. I say it for myself, who, foolishly Expectant of all joy, Triumphing undertook To love a lady proud and beautiful. For one poor glance vouchsafed in mirth to me : Wherefrom sprang all annoy: For, since the day Love shook My heart, she ever hath been cold and cruel. Well thought I to possess my joy complete When that sweet look of hers I felt upon me, amorous and kind : Now is my hope even underneath my feet. And still the arrow stirs Within my heart — (oh hurt no skill can bind !) — Which through mine eyes found entrance cunningly ; In manner as through glass Light pierces from the sun, And breaks it not, but wins its way beyond, — As into an unaltered mirror, free And still, some shape may pass. Yet has my heart begun To break, methinks, for I on death grow fond. 230 Simbiwno Giudice. But, even though death were longed for, the sharp wound I have might yet be heal'd, And I not altogether sink to death. In mine own foolishness the curse I found, Who foolish faith did yield Unto mine eyes, m hope that sickeneth. Yet might love still exult and not be sad — (For some such utterance Is at my secret heart) — If from herself the cure it could obtain, — Who hath indeed the power Achilles had, To wit, that of his lance The wound could by no art Be closed till it were touched therewith again. So must I needs appeal for pity now From her on her own fault, And in my prayer put meek humility : For certes her much worth will not allow That anything be call'd Treacherousness in such an one as she, In whom is judgment and true excellence. Wherefore I cry for grace ; Not doubting that all good, Joy, wisdom, pity, must from her be shed ; For scarcely should it deal in death's offence, The so-beloved face So watched for ; rather should All death and ill be thereby subjected. And since, in hope of mercy, I have bent Unto her ordinance Humbly my heart, my body, and my life. Giving her perfect power acknowledgment, — I think some kinder glance She '11 deign, and, in mere pity, pause from strife. She surely shall enact the good lord's part : When one whom force compels Doth yield, he is pacified. Forgiving him therein where he did err. Ah ! well I know she hath the noble heart Which in the lion quells Obduracy of pride ; Whose nobleness is for a crown on her. Mas olino da Todi. 23 1 MASOLINO DA TODI. Sonnet. Of Work and Wealth. A MAN should hold in very dear esteem The first possession that his labors gain'd ; For, though great riches be at length attain'd, From that first mite they were increased to him. Who foUoweth after his own wilful whim Shall see himself outwitted in the end ; Wherefore I still would have him apprehend His fall, who toils not being once supreme. Thou seldom shalt find folly, of the worst, Holding companionship with poverty, Because it is distracted of much care. Howbeit, if one that hath been poor at first Is brought at last to wealth and dignity, Still the worst folly thou shalt find it there. 232 Onesto di Bojtcima. ONESTO DI BONCIMA, BOLOGNESE. I. Sonnet. Of the Last Judg7nent, Upon that cruel season when our Lord Shall come to judge the world eternally; When to no man shall anything afford Peace in the heart, how pure soe'er it be ; When heaven shall break asunder at His word, With a great trembling of the earth and sea; When even the just shall fear the dreadful sword, - The wicked crying, " Where shall I cover me ? " When no one angel in His presence stands That shall not be affrighted of that wrath, Except the Virgin Lady, she our guide : — How shall I then escape, whom sin commands ? Out and alas on me ! There is no path, If in her prayers I be not justified. Onesto di Boncima. 233 II. Sonnet. He wishes that he could 7neet his Lady alone. Whether all grace have failed I scarce may scan, Be it of mere mischance, or art's ill sway, That this-wise, Monday, Tuesday, every day, Afflicts me, through her means, with bale and ban. Now are my days but as a painful span ; Nor once, " Take heed of dying " did she say. I thank thee for my life thus cast away, Thou who hast wearied out a living man. Yet, oh ! my Lord, if I were blest no more Than thus much, — clothed with thy humility, To find her for a single hour alone, — Such perfectness of joy would triumph o'er This grief wherein I waste, that I should be As a new image of Love to look upon. 234 Terino da Castel Fiorejttino. TERINO DA CASTEL FIORENTINO. Sonnet. To Onesto di Boncima, in A?tswer to the foregoing. If, as thou say'st, thy love tormenteth thee, That thou thereby wast in the fear of death, Messer Onesto, couldst thou bear to be Far from Love's self, and breathing other breath.^ Nay, thou wouldst pass beyond the greater sea (I do not speak of the Alps, an easy path), For thy life's gladdening ; if so to see That light which for my life no comfort hath. But rather makes my grief the bitterer : For I have neither ford nor bridge — no course To reach my lady, or send word to her. And there is not a greater pain, I think. Than to see waters at the limpid source, And to be much athirst, and not to drink. Alaestro Migliore. 235 MAESTRO MICxLIORE, DA FIORENZA. Sonnet. He declares all Love to be Grief. Love taking leave, my heart then leaveth me, And is enamour'd even while it would shun ; For I have looked so long upon the sun That the sun's glory is now in all I see. To its first will unwilling may not be This heart (though by its will its death be won), Having remembrance of the joy forerun : Yea, all life else seems dying constantly. Ay and alas ! in love is no relief, For any man who loveth in full heart. That is not rather grief than gratefulness. Whoso desires it, the beginning is grief ; Also the end is grief, most grievous smart ; And grief is in the middle, and is call'd grace. 236 Dello da Sigila. DELLO DA SIGNA. Ballata. Jiis Creed of Ideal Love. Prohibiting all hope Of the fulfilment of the joy of love, My lady chose me for her lover still. So am I lifted up To trust her heart which piteous pulses move, Her face which is her joy made visible. Nor have I any fear Lest love and service should be met with scorn, Nor doubt that thus I shall rejoice the more. For ruth is born of prayer ; Also, of ruth delicious love is born ; And service wrought makes glad the servitor. Behold, I, serving more than others, love One lovely more than all : And, singing and exulting, look for joy There where my homage is for ever paid. And, for I know she does not disapprove If on her grace I call, My soul's good trust I will not yet destroy, Though Love's fulfilment stand prohibited. Folgore da San G eminiano. 237 FOLGORE DA SAN GEMINIANO. I. Sonnet. To the Gtielf Faction. Because ye made your backs your shields, it came To pass, ye Guelfs, that these your enemies From hares grew lions : and because your eyes Turned homeward, and your spurs e'en did the same, Full many an one who still might win the game In fevered tracts of exile pines and dies. Ye blew your bubbles as the falcon flies. And the wind broke them up and scattered them. This counsel, therefore. Shape your high resolves In good King Robert's humor,i and afresh Accept your shames, forgive, and go your way. And so her peace is made with Pisa! Yea, What cares she for the miserable flesh That in the wilderness has fed the wolves ? * See what is said in allusion to his government of Florence by Dante {ParacL viii.). 238 Folgore da San Geminiamo. II. Sonnet. To the Sajne. Were ye but constant, Guelfs, in war or peace, As in divisions ye are constant still ! There is no wisdom in your stubborn will, Wherein all good things wane, all harms increase. But each upon his fellow looks, and sees And looks again, and likes his favor ill ; And traitors rule ye ; and on his own sill Each stirs the fire of household enmities. What, Guelfs ! and is Monte Catini ^ quite Forgot, — where still the mothers and sad wives Keep widowhood, and curse the Ghibellins ? O fathers, brothers, yea, all dearest kins ! Those men of ye that cherish kindred lives Even once again must set their teeth and fight. III. Sonnet. Of Virtue. The flower of Virtue is the heart's content; And fame is Virtue's fruit that she doth bear; And Virtue's vase is fair without and fair Within ; and Virtue's mirror brooks no taint ; And Virtue by her names is sage and saint ; And Virtue hath a steadfast front and clear; And Love is Virtue's constant minister ; And Virtue's gift of gifts is pure descent. And Virtue dwells with knowledge, and therein Her cherished home of rest is real love ; And Virtue's strength is in a suffering will ; And Virtue's work is life exempt from sin. With arms that aid ; and in the sum hereof, All Virtue is to render good for ill. * The battle of Monte Catini was fought and won by the Ghibelline leader, Uguc- cione della Faggiola, against the Florentines, August 29, 1315. This would seem to date Folgore's career further on than the period usually assigned to him (about 1260), and the question arises whether the above sonnet be really his. Folgore da San G eminiano. 23c OF THE MONTHS. Twelve Sonnets. Addressed to a Fellowship of Sienese Nobles y DEDICATION. Unto the blithe and lordly Fellowship (I know not where, but wheresoe'er, I know, Lordly and blithe), be greeting ; and thereto, Dogs, hawks, and a full purse wherein to dip ; Quails struck i' the flight ; nags mettled to the whip ; Hart-hounds, hare-hounds, and blood-hounds even so ; And o'er that realm, a crown for Niccolò, Whose praise in Siena springs from lip to lip. Tingoccio, Atuin di Togno, and Ancaiàn, Bartolo and Mugaro and Faenot, Who well might pass for children of King Ban, Courteous and valiant more than Lancelot, — To each, God speed ! how worthy every man To hold high tournament in Camelot. JANUARY. For January I give you vests of skins, And mighty fires in hall, and torches lit ; Chambers and happy beds with all things fit ; Smooth silken sheets, rough furry counterpanes ; And sweetmeats baked ; and one that deftly spins 1 This fellowship or club {Brigata), so highly approved and encouraged by our Folgore, is the same to which, and to some of its members by name, scornful allusion is made by Dante {I>i/ey>io, C. xxix. 1. 130), where he speaks of the hare-brained character of the Sienese. Mr. Cayley, in liis valuable notes on Dante, says of it : "A dozen extravagant youths of Siena had put together by equal contributions 216,000 florins to spend in pleasuring ; they were reduced in about a twelvemonth to the extremes of poverty. It was their practice to give mutual entertainments twice a-month; at each of which, three tables having been sumptuously covered, they would feast at one, wash their hands on another, and throw the last out of window." There exists a second curious series of sonnets for the months, addressed also to this club, by Cene della Chitarra d' Arezzo. Here, however, all sorts of disasters and discomforts, in the same pursuits of which Folgore treats, are imagined for the prodi- gals ; each sonnet, too, being composed with the same terminations in its rhymes as the corresponding one among his. They would seem to have been wintten after the ruin of the club, as a satirical prophecy of the year to succeed the golden one. But this second series, though sometimes laughable, not having the poetical msrit of the first, I have not included it. 140 Folgore da San Geminiamo. Warm arras ; and Douay cloth, and store of it ; And on this merry manner still to twit The wind, when most his mastery the wind wins. Or issuing forth at seasons in the day, Ye '11 fling soft handfuls of the fair white snow Among the damsels standing round, in play : And when you all are tired and all aglow, Indoors again the court shall hold its sway, And the free Fellowship continue so. FEBRUARY. In February I give you gallant sport Of harts and hinds and great wild boars ; and all Your company good foresters and tall, With buskins strong, with jerkins close and short ; And in your leashes, hounds of brave report; And from your purses, plenteous money-fall, In very spleen of misers' starveling gall, Who at your generous customs snarl and snort. At dusk wend homeward, ye and all your folk, All laden from the wilds, to your carouse, With merriment and songs accompanied: And so draw wine and let the kitchen smoke ; And so be till the first watch glorious ; Then sound sleep to you till the day be wide. MARCH. In March I give you plenteous fisheries Of lamprey and of salmon, eel and trout. Dental and dolphin, sturgeon, all the rout Of fish in all the streams that fill the seas. With fishermen and fishing-boats at ease, Sail-barques and arrow-barques, and galleons stout. To bear you, while the season lasts, far out, And back, through spring, to any port you please. But with fair mansions see that it be fill'd, With everything exactly to your mind, And every sort of comfortable folk. No convent suffer there, nor priestly guild : Leave the mad monks to preach after their kind Their scanty truth, their lies beyond a joke. Folgore da San Geminiano. 241 APRIL. I GIVE you meadow-lands in April, fair With over-growth of beautiful green grass ; There among fountains the glad hours shall pass, And pleasant ladies bring you solace there. With steeds of Spain and ambling palfreys rare ; Provengal songs and dances that surpass ; And quaint French mummings ; and through hollow brass A sound of German music on the air. And gardens ye shall have, that every one May lie at ease about the fragrant place ; And each with fitting reverence shall bow down Unto that youth to whom I gave a crown Of precious jewels like to those that grace The Babylonian Kaiser, Prester John. MAY. I GIVE you horses for your games in May, And all of them well trained unto the course, — Each docile, swift, erect, a goodly horse ; With armor on their chests, and bells at play Between their brows, and pennons fair and gay ; Fine nets, and housings meet for warriors, Emblazoned with the shields ye claim for yours ; Gules, argent, or, all dizzy at noonday. And spears shall split, and fruit go flying up In merry counterchange for wreaths that drop From balconies and casements far above ; And tender damsels with young men and youths Shall kiss together on the cheeks and mouths ; And every day be glad with joyful love. JUNE. In June I give you a close-wooded fell, With crowns of thicket coiled about its head, With thirty villas twelve times turreted, All girdling round a little citadel ; And in the midst a springhead and fair \vell With thousand conduits branched and shining speed, Wounding the garden and the tender mead, 16 242 Folgore da San Geuiiìiiano. Yet to the freshened grass acceptable. And lemons, citrons, dates, and oranges, And all the fruits whose savor is most rare, Shall shine within the shadow of your trees ; And every one shall be a lover there ; Until your life, so filled with courtesies. Throughout the world be counted debonair. JULY. For July, in Siena, by the willow-tree, I give you barrels of white Tuscan wine In ice far down your cellars stored supine ; And morn and eve to eat in company Of those vast jellies dear to you and me ; Of partridges and youngling pheasants sweet, Boiled capons, sovereign kids : and let their treat Be veal and garlic, with whom these agree. Let time slip by, till by-and-by, all day ; And never swelter through the heat at all, But move at ease at home, sound, cool, and gay ; And wear sweet-colored robes that lightly fall : And keep your tables set in fresh array, Not coaxing spleen to be your seneschal. AUGUST. For August, be your dwelling thirty towers Within an Alpine valley mountainous, Where never the sea-wind may vex your house, But clear life separate, like a star, be yours. There horses shall wait saddled at all hours, That ye may mount at morning or at eve : On each hand either ridge ye shall perceive, A mile apart, which soon a good beast scours. So alway, drawing homewards, ye shall tread Your valley parted by a rivulet Which day and night shall flow sedate and smooth. There all through noon ye may possess the shade, And there your open purses shall entreat The best of Tuscan cheer to feed your youth. Folgore da San Gemmiano. 243 SEPTEMBER. And in September, O what keen delight ! Falcons and astors, merlins, sparrowhawks; Decoy-birds that shall lure your game in flocks ; And hounds with bells : and gauntlets stout and tight ; Wide pouches; crossbows shooting out of sight: Arblasts and javelins ; balls and ball-cases ; All birds the best to fly at ; moulting these, Those reared by hand ; with finches mean and slight ; And for their chase, all birds the best to fly; And each to each of you be lavish still In gifts ; and robbery find no gainsaying ; And if you meet with travellers going by, Their purses from your purse's flow shall fill ; And avarice be the only outcast thing. OCTOBER. Next, for October, to some sheltered coign Flouting the winds, I '11 hope to find you slunk; Though in bird-shooting (lest all sport be sunk), Your foot still press the turf, the horse your groin. At night with sweethearts in the dance you '11 join. And drink the blessed must, and get quite drunk. There 's no such life for any human trunk ; And that 's a truth that rings like golden coin ! Then, out of bed again when morning's come. Let your hands drench your face refreshingly, And take your physic roast, with flask and knife. Sounder and snugger you shall feel at home Than lake-fish, river-fish, or fish at sea. Inheriting the cream of Christian life. NOVEMBER. Let baths and wine-butts be November's due, With thirty mule-loads of broad gold-pieces; And canopy with silk the streets that freeze ; And keep your drink-horns steadily in view. Let every trader have his gain of you : Clareta shall your lamps and torches send, — Caeta, citron-candies without end ; »44 Folgore da San Gcmiìiiano. And each shall drink, and help his neighbor to. And let the cold be great, and the fire grand : And still for fowls, and pastries sweetly wrought, For hares and kids, for roast and boiled, be sure You always have your appetites at hand ; And then let night howl and heaven fall, so nought Be missed that makes a man's bed-furniture. DECEMBER. Last, for December, houses on the plain, Ground-floors to live in, logs heaped mountain-high, And carpets stretched, and newest games to try, And torches lit, and gifts from man to man (Your host, a drunkard and a Catalan) ; And whole dead pigs, and cunning cooks to ply Each throat with tit-bits that shall satisfy ; And wine-butts of Saint Galganus' brave span. And be your coats well-lined and tightly bound. And wrap yourselves in cloaks of strength and weight, With gallant hoods to put your faces through. And make your game of abject vagabond Abandoned miserable reprobate Misers ; don't let them have a chance with you. CONCLUSION. And now take thought, my sonnet, who is he That most is full of every gentleness ; And say to him (for thou shalt quickly guess His name) that all his 'bests are law to me. For if I held fair Paris town in fee, And were not called his friend, 't were surely less. Ah ! had he but the emperor's wealth, my place Were fitted in his love more steadily Than is Saint Francis at Assisi. Alway Commend him unto me and his, — not least To Caian, held so dear in the blithe band. Folgore da San Geminiano " (say) " Has sent me, charging me to travel fast, Because his heart went with you in your hand." Folgore da San G eminiano. 245 OF THE WEEK. Seven Sonnets. DEDICATION. There is among my thoughts the joyous plan To fashion a bright-jewelled carcanet, Which I upon such worthy brows would set. To say, it suits them fairly as it can. And now I have newly found a gentleman, Of courtesies and birth commensurate, Who better would become the imperial state Than fits the gem within the signet's span. Carlo di Messer Guerra Cavicciuoli,^ Of him I speak, — brave, wise, of just award And generous service, let who list command : And litiielier limbed than ounce or leopard. He holds not money-bags, as children, holy ; For Lombard Esté hath no freer hand. MONDAY. The Day of Songs atid Love. Now with the moon the day-star Lucifer Departs, and night is gone at last, and day Brings, making all men's spirits strong and gay, A gentle wind to gladden the new air. Lo ! this is Monday, the week's harbinger; Let music breathe her softest matin-lay. And let the loving damsels sing to-day, And the sun wound with heat at noontide here. And thou, young lord, arise and do not sleep, For now the amorous day inviteth thee The harvest of thy lady's youth to reap. Let coursers round the door, and palfreys, be. With squires and pages clad delightfully ; And Love's commandments have thou heed to keep. 1 That is, according to early Tuscan nomenclature, Carlo, the son ^Messer Guerra Cavicciuoli. 246 Folgore da San Gemiiiiano. TUESDAY. The Day of Battles. To a new world on Tuesday shifts my song, Where beat of drum is heard, and trumpet-blast; Where footmen armed and horsemen armed go past, And bells say ding to bells that answer dong ; Where he the first and after him the throng. Armed all of them with coats and hoods of steel, Shall see their foes and make their foes to feel, And so in wrack and rout drive them along. Then hither, thither, dragging on the field His master, empty-seated goes the horse, 'Mid entrails strown abroad of soldiers kill'd ; Till blow to camp those trumpeters of yours Who noise awhile yonr triumph and are still'd, And to your tents you come back conquerors. WEDNESDAY. The Day of Feasts. And every Wednesday, as the swift days move, Pheasant and peacock-shooting out of doors You '11 have, and multitude of hares to course. And after you come home, good cheer enough ; And sweetest ladies at the board above, Children of kings and counts and senators ; And comely-favored youthful bachelors To serve them, bearing garlands, for true love. And still let cups of gold and silver ware, Runlets of vernage-wine and wine of Greece, Comfits and cakes be found at bidding there; And let your gifts of birds and game increase: And let all those who in your banquet share Sit with bright faces perfectly at ease. Folgore da San Geminiano. 247 THURSDAY. The Day of Jousts and Tournaments. For Thursday be the tournament prepar'd, And gentlemen in lordly jousts compete : First man with man, together let them meet, — By fifties and by hundreds afterward. Let arms with housings each be fitly pair'd, And fitly hold your battle to its heat From the third hour to vespers, after meat ; Till the best-winded be at last declared. Then back unto your beauties, as ye came : Where upon sovereign beds, with wise control Of leeches, shall your hurts be swathed in bands. The ladies shall assist with their own hands, And each be so well paid in seeing them That on the morrow he be sound and whole. FRIDAY. The Day of Hunting. Let Friday be your highest hunting-tide, — No hound nor brach nor mastiff absent thence, — Through a low w^ood, by many miles of dens. All covert, where the cunning beasts abide : Which now driven forth, at first you scatter wide, — Then close on them, and rip out blood and breath : Till all your huntsmen's horns wind at the death, And you count up how many beasts have died. Then, men and dogs together brought, you '11 say : Go fairly greet from us this friend and that, Bid each make haste to blithest wassailings. Might not one vow that the whole pack had wings .-* What ! hither. Beauty, Dian, Dragon, what ! I think we held a royal hunt to-day. 248 Folgore da Sail Geminiano. SATURDAY. The Day of Hawking. I 've jolliest merriment for Saturday : — The very choicest ot all hawks to fly That crane or heron could be stricken by, As up and down you course the steep highway. So shall the wild geese, in your deadly play, Lose at each stroke a wing, a tail, a thigh ; And man with man and horse with horse shall vie, Till you all shout for glory and holiday. Then, going home, you '11 closely charge the cook : "All this is for to-morrow's roast and stew. Skin, lop, and truss : hang pots on every hook. And we must have fine wine and white bread too. Because this time we mean to feast : so look We do not think your kitchens lost on you." SUNDAY. The Day of Balls and Deeds of Arms in Flore?ice. And on the morrow, at first peep o' the day Which follows, and which men as Sunday spell, - Whom most him liketh, dame or damozel, Your chief shall choose out of the sweet array. So in the palace painted and made gay Shall he converse with her whom he loves best ; And what he wishes, his desire express'd Shall bring to presence there, without gainsay. And youths shall dance, and men do feats of arms, And Florence be sought out on every side From orchards and from vineyards and from farms That they who fill her streets from far and wide In your fine temper may discern such charms As shall from day to day be magnified. Guido delle Coloiive. 249 GUIDO DELLE COLONNE. Canzone. To Love and to his Lady. Love, who all this while hast urged me on, Shaking the reins, with never any rest, — Slacken for pity somewhat of thy haste ; 1 am oppress'd with languor and foredone, — Having outrun the power of sufferance, — Having much more endured than who, through faith That his heart holds, makes no account of death. Love is assuredly a fair mischance, And well may it be called a happy ill : Yet thou, my lady, on this constant sting, So sharp a thing, have thou some pity still, — Howbeit a sweet thing too, unless it kill. comely-favored, whose soft eyes prevail, More fair than is another on this ground, — Lift now my mournful heart out of its stound, Which thus is bound for thee in great travail : For a high gale a little rain may end. Also, my lady, be not angered thou That Love should thee enforce, to whom all bow. There is but little shame to apprehend If to a higher strength the conquest be ; And all the more to Love who conquers all. Why then appall my heart with doubts of thee? Courage and patience triumph certainly. 1 do not say that with such loveliness Such pride may not beseem ; it suits thee well ; For in a lovely lady pride may dwell, Lest homage fail and high esteem grow less : 250 Gì ido delle Colonne. Yet pride's excess is not a thing to praise. Therefore, my lady, let thy harshness gain Some touch of pity which may still restrain Thy hand, ere Death cut short these hours and days. The sun is very high and full of light. And the more bright the higher he doth ride : So let thy pride, my lady, and thy height, Stand me in stead and turn to my delight. Still inmostly I love thee, laboring still That others may not know my secret smart. Oh ! what a pain it is for the grieved heart To hold apart and not to show its ill ! Yet by no will the face can hide the soul ; And ever with the eyes the heart has need To be in all things willingly agreed. It were a mighty strength that should control The heart's fierce beat, and never speak a word : It were a mighty strength, I say again, To hide such pain, and to be sovran lord Of any heart that had such love to hoard. For Love can make the wisest turn astray ; Love, at its most, of measure still has least ; He is the maddest man who loves the best ; It is Love's jest, to make men's hearts alway So hot that they by coldness cannot cool. The eyes unto the heart bear messages Of the beginnings of all pain and ease : And thou, my lady, in thy hand dost rule Mine eyes and heart which thou hast made thine own. Love rocks my life with tempests on the deep, ' Even as a ship round which the winds are blown : Thou art my pennon that will not go down. Pier Moronelli. 25 PIER MORONELLI, DI FIORENZA. Canzonetta. A bitter Song to his Lady. O LADY amorous, Merciless lady, Full blithely play'd ye These your beguilings. So with an urchin A man makes merry, — In mirth grows clamorous, Laughs and rejoices, — But when his choice is To fall aweary, Cheats him with silence. This is Love's portion : — In much wayfaring With many burdens He loads his servants. But at the sharing. The underservice And overservice Are alike barren. As my disaster Your jest I cherish, And well may perish. Even so a falcon Is sometimes taken And scantly cautell'd ; Till when his master At length to loose him, To train and use him, Is after all gone, — The creature 's throttled 252 Pier Moronelli. And will not waken. Wherefore, my lady. If you will own me, O look upon me ! If I 'm not thought on, At least perceive me ! do not leave me So much forgotten ! If, lady, truly, You wish my profit, What follows of it Though still you say so ? - For all your well-wishes / still am waiting. 1 grow unruly, And deem at last I 'm Only your pastime. A child will play so. Who greatly relishes Sporting and petting With a little wild bird : Unaware he kills it, — Then turns it, feels it, Calls it with a mild word, Is angry after, — Then again in laughter Loud is the child heard. O my delightful My own my lady, Upon the Mayday Which brought me to you Was all my haste then But a fool's venture ? To have my sight full Of you propitious Truly my wish was. And to pursue you And let love chasten My heart to the centre. But warming, lady, May end in burning. Of all this yearning What comes, I beg you ? In all your glances What is 't a man sees ? — Fever and agvie. Ciuncio Fiorentino. 253 CIUNCIO FIORENTINO. Canzone. Of his Love; with the Figtires of a Stag, of Water ^ and of a?t Eagle. Lady, with all the pains that I can take, I '11 sing my love renewed, if I may, well, And only in your praise. The stag in his old age seeks out a snake And eats it, and then drinks (I have heard tell), Fearing the hidden ways Of the snake's poison, and renews his youth. Even such a draught, in truth. Was your sweet welcome, which cast out of me, With whole cure instantly. Whatever pain I felt, for my own good. When first we met that I might be renew'd. A thing that has its proper essence changed By virtue of some powerful influence, As water has by fire, Returns to be itself, no more estranged, So soon as that has ceased which gave offence : Yea, now will more aspire Than ever, as the thing it first was made. Thine advent long delay'd Even thus had almost worn me out of love, Biding so far above : But now that thou hast brought love back for me. It mounts too much, — O lady, up to thee. I have heard tell, and can esteem it true, How that an eagle looking on the sun, Rejoicing for his part 254 Ciuncio Fiorentino, And bringing oft his young to look there too, If one gaze longer than another one, On him will set his heart. So I am made aware that Love doth lead All lovers, by their need. To gaze upon the brightness of their loves ; And whosoever moves His eyes the least from gazing upon her. The same shall be Love's inward minister. Ruggieri di Amici, 255 RUGGIERI DI AMICI, SICILIANO. Canzonetta. For a Renewal of Favors. I PLAY this sweet prelùde For the best heart, and queen Of gentle womanhood, From here unto Messene; Of flowers the fairest one ; The star that 's next the sun ; The brightest star of all. What time I look at her. My thoughts do crowd and stir And are made musical. Sweetest my lady, then Wilt thou not just permit, As once I spoke, again That I should speak of it .-* My heart is burning me Within, though outwardly I seem so brave and gay. Ah ! dost thou not sometimes Remember the sweet rhymes Our lips made on that day ? — When I her heart did move By kisses and by vows. Whom I then called my love. Fair-haired, with silver brows : She sang there as we sat; Nor then withheld she aught Which it were right to give; But said, " Indeed I will Be thine through good and ill As long as I may live." •56 Ruggieri di Amici. And while I live, dear love, In gladness and in need Myself I will approve To be thine own indeed. If any man dare blame Our loves, — bring him to shame, O God ! and of this year Let him not see the May. Is 't not a vile thing, say. To freeze at Midsummer ì Camino G /liberti. 257 CARNINO GHIBERTI, DA FIORENZA. Canzone. Being absent from his Lady, he fears Death. I AM afar, but near thee is my heart Only soHciting That this long absence seem not ill to thee : For, if thou knew'st what pain and evil smart The lack of thy sweet countenance can bring, Thou wouldst remember me compassionately. Even as my case, the stag's is wont to be, Which, thinking to escape His death, escaping whence the pack gives cry, Is wounded and doth die. So, in my spirit imagining thy shape, I would fly Death, and Death o'ermasters me. I am o'erpower'd of Death when, telling o'er Thy beauties in my thought, I seem to have that which I have not : then I am as he who in each meteor, Dazzled and wildered, sees the thing he sought. In suchwise Love deals with me among men : — Thee whom I have not, yet who dost sustain My life, he bringeth in his arms to me Full oft, — yet I approach not unto thee. Ah ! if we be not joined i' the very flesh, It cannot last but I indeed shall die By burden of this love that weigheth so. As an o'erladen bough, while yet 't is fresh, Breaks, and itself and fruit are lost thereby, — So shall I, love, be lost, alas for woe ! And, if this slay indeed that thus doth rive My heart, how then shall I comforted ? Thou, as a lioness Her cub, in sore distress Might'st toil to bring me out of death alive : But couldst thou raise me up, if I were dead ,'* 258 Camino Ghiberti. Oh ! but an' if thou wouldst, I were more glad Of death than life, — thus kept From thee and the true life thy face can bring. So in nowise could death be harsh or bad ; But it should seem to me that I had slept And was awakened with thy summoning. Yet, sith the hope thereof is a vain thing, I, in fast fealty, Can like the Assassin ^ be. Who, to be subject to his lord in all. Goes and accepts his death and has no heed : Even as he doth so could I do indeed. Nevertheless, this one memorial — The last — I send thee, for Love orders it. He, this last once, wills that thus much be writ In prayer that it may fall 'twixt thee and me After the manner of Two birds that feast their love Even unto anguish, till, if neither quit The other, one must perish utterly. 1 Alluding to the Syrian tribe of Assassins, whose chief was the Old Man of the Mountain. Priìirjivalle Doria. 2$g PRINZIVALLE BORIA. Canzone. Of his Love, with the Figure of a sudden Storm, Even as the day when it is yet at dawning Seems mild and kind, being fair to look upon, While the birds carol underneath their awning Of leaves, as if they never would have have done ; Which on a sudden changes, just at noon, And the broad light is broken into rain That stops and comes again ; Even as the traveller, who had held his way Hopeful and glad because of the bright weather, Forgetteth then his gladness altogether ; Even so am I , through Love, alas the day ! It plainly is through Love that I am so. At first, he let me still grow happier Each day, and made her kindness seem to grow ; But now he has quite changed her heart in her. And I, whose hopes throbbed and were all astir For times when I should call her mine aloud, And in her pride be proud Who is more fair than gems are, ye may say, Having that fairness which holds hearts in rule — I have learnt now to count him but a fool Who before evening says, A goodly day. It had been better not to have begun. Since, having known my error, 't is too late. This thing from which I suffer, thou hast done, Lady : canst thou restore me my first state ? The wound thou gavest canst thou medicate ? Not thou, forsooth : thou hast not any art To keep death from my heart. 26o Prhizivalle Daria. lady ! where is now my life's full meed Of peace, — mine once, and which thou took'st away ? Surely it cannot now be far from day : Night is already very long indeed. The sea is much more beautiful at rest Than when the storm is trampling over it. Wherefore, to see the smile which has so bless'd This heart of mine, deem'st thou these eyes unfit? There is no maid so lovely, it is writ. That by such stern unwomanly regard Her face may not be marr'd. 1 therefore pray of thee, my own soul's wife, That thou remember me who am forgot. How shall I stand without thee.'' Art thou not The pillar of the building of my life ì Rustico di Filippo. 261 RUSTICO DI FILIPPO. Sonnet. 0/ the jnakiftg of Master Mes serin. When God had finished Master Messerin, He really thought it something to have done : Bird, man, and beast had got a chance in one, And each felt flattered, it was hoped, therein. For he is like a goose i' the windpipe thin, And like a cameleopard high i' the loins ; To which, for manhood, you '11 be told, he joins Some kinds of flesh-hues and a callow chin. As to his singing, he affects the crow ; As to his learning, beasts in general ; And sets all square by dressing like a man. God made him, having nothing else to do : And proved there is not anything at all He cannot make, if that 's a thing He can. II. Sonnet. Of the Safety of M esser Fazio} Master Bertuccio, you are called to account That you guard Fazio's life from poison ill : And every man in Florence tells me still He has no horse that he can safely mount. A mighty war-horse worth a thousand pound Stands in Cremona stabled at his will; Which for his honored person should fulfil 1 I have not been able to trace the Fazio to whom this sonnet refers. 202 Rustico di Filippo. Its use. Nay, sir, I pray you be not found So poor a steward. For all fame of yours Is cared for best, believe me, when I say : — Our Florence gives Bertuccio charge of one Who rides her own proud spirit like a horse ; Whom Gocciolo himself must needs obey : And whom she loves best, being her strongest son. III. Sonnet. Of M esser Ugolino.'^ If any one had anything to say To the Lord Ugolino, because he 's Not stanch, and never minds his promises, 'T were hardly courteous, for it is his way. Courteous it were to say such sayings nay : As thus : He 's true, sir, only takes his ease And don't care merely if it plague or please. And has good thoughts, no doubt, if they would stay. Now I know he 's so loyal every whit And altogether worth such a good word As worst would best and best would worst befit. He 'd love his party with a dear accord If only he could once quite care for it, But can't run post for any Law or Lord. ' The character here drawn certainly suggests Count Ugolino de' Gherardeschi, though it would seem that Rustico died nearly twenty years before the tragedy of the Tower of Famine. Pucciarello di Fiorenza. 263 PUCCIARELLO DI FIORENZA. Sonnet. Of Expediency . Pass and let pass, — this counsel I would give, — And wrap thy cloak what way the wind may blow; Who cannot raise himself were wise to know How best, by dint of stooping, he may thrive. Take for ensample this : when the winds drive Against it, how the sapling tree bends low, And, once being prone, abideth even so Till the hard harsh wind cease to rend and rive. Wherefore, when thou behold'st thyself abased, Be bHnd, deaf, dumb; yet therewith none the less Note thou in peace what thou shalt hear and see. Till from such state by Fortune thou be raised. Then hack, lop, buffet, thrust, and so redress Thine ill that it may not return on thee. 204 A /bertuccio della Viola. ALBERTUCCIO DELLA VIOLA. Canzone. Of his Lady dancing. Among the dancers I beheld her dance, Her who alone is my heart's sustenance. So, as she danced, I took this wound of her ; Alas ! the flower of flowers, she did not fail. Woe 's me ! I will be Jew and blasphemer If the good god of Love do not prevail To bring me to thy grace, oh ! thou most fair. My lady and my lord ! alas for wail ! How many days and how much sufferance ? Oh ! would to God that I had never seen Her face, nor had beheld her dancing so ! Then had I missed this wound which is so keen — Yea, mortal — for I think not to win through Unless her love be my sweet medicine ; ^ Whereof I am in doubt, alas for woe ! Fearing therein but such a little chance. She was apparelled in a Syrian cloth, My lady : — oh ! but she did grace the same. Gladdening all folk, that they were nowise loath At sight of her to put their ills from them. But upon me her power hath had such growth That nought of joy thenceforth, but a live flame. Stirs at my heart, — which is her countenance. Sweet-smelling rose, sweet, sweet to smell and see, Great solace had she in her eyes for all ; But heavy woe is mine ; for upon me Her eyes, as they were wont, did never fall. Which thing if it were done advisedly, I would choose death, that could no more appall, Not caring for my life's continuance. Tommaso Biczzuola. 265 TOMMASO BUZZUOLA, DA FAENZA. Sonnet. ' He is in awe of his Lady. Even as the moon amid the stars doth shed Her lovelier splendor of exceeding light, — Even so my lady seems the queen and head Among all other ladies in my sight. Her human visage, like an angel's made. Is glorious even to beauty's perfect height ; And with her simple bearing soft and staid All secret modesties of soul unite. I therefore feel a dread in loving her ; Because of thinking on her excellence, The wisdom and the beauty which she has. I pray her for the sake of God, — whereas I am her servant, yet in sore suspense Have held my peace, — to have me in her care. 266 Noffo Bo7taguida. NOFFO BONAGUIDA. Sonnet. He is enjoined to pure Love. A SPIRIT of Love, with Love's intelligence, Maketh his sojourn alway in my breast, Maintaining me in perfect joy and rest ; Nor could I live an hour, were he gone thence : Through whom my love hath such full permanence That thereby other loves seem dispossess'd. I have no pain, nor am with sighs oppress'd, So calm is the benignant influence. Because this spirit of Love, who speaks to me Of my dear lady's tenderness and worth, Says : " More than thus to love her seek thou not Even as she loves thee in her wedded thought ; But honor her in thy heart delicately : For this is the most blessed joy on earth." Lippo Paschi de Bardi, 26'J LIPPO PASCHI DE' BARDI. Sonnet. He solicits a Lady's Favors. Wert thou as prone to yield unto my prayer The thing, sweet virgin, which I ask of thee, As to repeat, with all humility, " Pray you go hence, and of your speech forbear Then unto joy might I my heart prepare, Having my fellows in subserviency ; But, for that thou contemn'st and mockest me. Whether of life or death I take no care. Because my heart may not assuage its drouth Nor ever may again rejoice at all Till the sweet face bend to be felt of man, — Till tenderly the beautiful soft mouth I kiss by thy good leave ; thenceforth to call Blessing and triumph Love's extremest ban. »68 Ser Pace, Notaio da Fiorenza. SER PACE, NOTAIO DA FIORENZA. Sonnet. A Return to Love. A FRESH content of fresh enamouring Yields me afresh, at length, the sense of song, Who had well-nigh forgotten Love so long : But now my homage he will have me bring. So that my life is now a joyful thing, Having new-found desire, elate and strong, In her to whom all grace and worth belong, On whom I now attend for ministering. The countenance remembering, with the limbs. She was all imaged on my heart at once Suddenly by a single look at her : Whom when I now behold, a heat there seems Within, as of a subtle fire that runs Unto my heart, and remains burning there. Niccolò degli A Ibis si. 269 NICCOLO DEGLI ALBIZZI. Prolonged Sonnet. When the Troops were retitrni?tgfrom Milan. If you could see, fair brother, how dead beat The fellows look who come through Rome to-day, — Black yellow smoke-dried visages, — you 'd say They thought their haste at going all too fleet. Their empty victual-wagons up the street Over the bridge dreadfully sound and sway ; Their eyes, as hanged men's, turning the wrong way ; And nothing on their backs, or heads, or feet. One sees the ribs and all the skeletons Of their gaunt horses ; and a sorry sight Are the torn saddles, crammed with straw and stones. They are ashamed, and march throughout the night ; Stumbling, for hunger, on their marrowbones ; Like barrels rolling, jolting, in this plight. Their arms all gone, not even their swords are saved ; And each as silent as a man being shaved. I/o Francesco da Barberino. FRANCESCO DA BARBERINO. I. Blank Verse.i A Virgin declares her Beauties. Do not conceive that I shall here recount All my own beauty : yet I promise you That you, by what I tell, shall understand All that befits and that is well to know. My bosom, which is very softly made, Of a white even color without stain. Bears two fair apples, fragrant, sweetly-savored, Gathered together from the Tree of Life The which is in the midst of Paradise. And these no person ever yet has touched ; For out of nurse's and of mother's hands I was, when God in secret gave them me. These ere I yield I must know well to whom ; And for that I would not be robbed of them, I speak not all the virtue that they have ; Yet thus far speaking: — blessed were the man Who once should touch them, were it but a little ; — See them I say not, for that might not be. My girdle, clipping pleasure round about, Over my clear dress even unto my knees Hangs down with sweet precision tenderly ; And under it Virginity abides. Faithful and simple and of plain belief She is, with her fair garland bright like gold ; And very fearful if she overhears Speech of herself; the wherefore ye perceive That I speak soft lest she be made ashamed. ^ Extracted from his long: treatise, in unrhvmed verse and in prose. "Of the Gov- ernment and Conduct of Women " {Del Reggimento e dei Costmni delle Donne). Francesco da Barberino. 271 Lo ! this is she who hath for company The Son of God and Mother of the Son ; Lo ! this is she who sits with many in heaven ; Lo ! this is she with whom are few on earth. IL Sentenze. 1 0/ Sloth against Sin. There is a vice which oft l 've heard men praise ; and divers forms it has ; And it is this. Whereas Some, by their wisdom, lordship, or repute, When tumults are afoot, Might stifle them, or at the least allay, — These certain ones will say, '• The wise man bids thee fly the noise of men." One says, " Wouldst thou maintain Worship, — avoid where thou mayst not avail; And do not breed worse ail By adding one more voice to strife begun." Another, with this one, Avers, " I could but bear a small expense, Or yield a slight defence." A third says this, " I could but offer words." Or one, whose tongue records Unwillingly his own base heart, will say, " I '11 not be led astray To bear a hand in others' life or death." They have it in their teeth ! For unto this each man is pledged and bound; And this thing shall be found Entered against him at the Judgment Day. 1 This and the three following pieces are extracted from his " Documents of Love " {Documenti cf A more). 272 Fra7icesco da Barberino. III. Sentenze. Of Sins in Speech. Now these four things, if thou Consider, are so bad that none are worse. First, — among counsellors To thrust thyself, when not called absolutely. And in the other three Many offend by their own evil wit. When men in council sit. One talks because he loves not to be still ; And one to have his will ; And one for nothing else but only show. These rules were well to know, First for the first, for the others afterward. Where many are repair'd And met together, never go with them Unless thou 'rt called by name. This for the first : now for the other three. What truly thou dost see Turn in thy mind, and faithfully report ; And in the plainest sort Thy wisdom may, proffer thy counselling. There is another thing Belongs hereto, the which is on this wise. If one should ask advice Of thine for his own need whate'er it be, — This is my word to thee : — Deny it if it be not clearly of use : Or turn to some excuse That may avail, and thou shalt have done well. Francesco da Barberino. 273 IV. Sentenze. Of Importtinities afid Troiiblesovie Persons. There is a vice prevails Concerning which I '11 set you on your guard ; And other four, which hard It were (as may be thought) that I should blame. Some think that still of them — Whate'er is said — some ill speech lies beneath ; And this to them is death : Whereby we plainly may perceive their sins. And now let others wince. One sort there is, who, thinking that they please (Because no wit 's in these). Where'er you go, will stick to you all day, And answer, (when you say, " Don't let me tire you out ! ") *' Oh never mind, — Say nothing of the kind, — It 's quite a pleasure to be where you are ! " A second, — when, as far As he could follow you, the whole day long He 's sung you his dull song. And you for courtesy have borne with it, — Will think you 've had a treat. A third will take his special snug delight, — Some day you 've come in sight Of some great thought and got it well in view, — Just then to drop on you. A fourth, for any insult you 've received Will say he is so grieved. And daily bring the subject up again. So now I would be fain To show you your best course at all such times ; And counsel you in rhymes That you yourself offend not in likewise. 18 274 Frajicesco da Barberina. In these four cases lies This help : — to think upon your own affair, Just showing here and there By just a word that you are listening ; And still to the last thing That 's said to you attend in your reply, And let the rest go by, — It 's quite a chance if he remembers them. Yet do not, all the same, Deny your ear to any speech of weight. But if importunate The speaker is, and will not be denied, Just turn the speech aside When you can find some plausible pretence ; For if you have the sense, By a quick question or a sudden doubt You may so put him out That he shall not remember where he was, And by such means you '11 pass Upon your way and be well rid of him. And now it may beseem I give you the advice I promised you. Before you have to do With men whom you must meet continually, Take notice what they be ; And so you shall find readily enough If you can win their love, And give yourself for answer Yes or No. And finding Yes, do so That still the love between you may increase. Yet if they be of these Whom sometimes it is hard to understand, Let some slight cause be plann'd, And seem to go, — so you shall learn their will : And if but one sit still As 'twere in thought, — then go, unless he call. Lastly, if insult gall Your friend, this is the course that you should take. At first 't is well you make As much lament thereof as you think fit, — Fratte esco da Barberino. 275 Then speak no more of it, Unless himself should bring it up again ; And then no more refrain From full discourse, but say his grief is yours. V. Sentenze. Of Caution. Say, wouldst thou guard thy son. That sorrow he may shun ? Begin at the beginning And let him keep from sinning. Wouldst guard thy house .'' One door Make to it, and no more. Wouldst guard thine orchard-wall ? Be free of fruit to all. 276 Fazio degli liberti. FAZIO DEGLI UBERTI. Canzone. His Port7'ait of his Lady, Angiola of Verona, I LOOK at the crisp golden-threaded hair Whereof, to thrall my heart, Love twists a net: Using at times a string of pearls for bait. And sometimes with a single rose therein. I look into her eyes which unaware Through mine own eyes to my heart penetrate ; Their splendor, that is excellently great. To the sun's radiance seeming near akin, Yet from herself a sweeter light to win. So that I, gazing on that lovely one, Discourse in this wise with my secret thought : — " Woe 's me ! why am I not. Even as my wish, alone with her alone, — That hair of hers, so heavily uplaid, To shed down braid by braid, And make myself^two mirrors of her eyes Within whose light all other glory dies .'' " I look at the amorous beautiful mouth, The spacious forehead which her locks enclose, The small white teeth, the straight and shapely nose, And the clear brows of a sweet pencilling. And then the thought within me gains full growth, Saying, " Be careful that thy glance now goes Between her lips, red as an open rose. Quite full of every dear and precious thing; And listen to her gracious answering. Born of the gentle mind that in her dwells, Which from all things can glean the nobler half. Look thou when she doth laugh Fazio degli liberti. 277 How much her laugh is sweeter than aught else." Thus evermore my spirit makes a vow Touching her mouth ; till now I would give anything that I possess, Only to hear her mouth say frankly, " Yes." I look at her white easy neck, so well From shoulders and from bosom lifted out ; And at her round cleft chin, which beyond doubt No fancy in the world could have design'd. And then, with longing grown more voluble, " Were it not pleasant now," pursues my thought, " To have that neck within thy two arms caught And kiss it till the mark were left behind ? " Then, urgently : " The eyelids of thy mind Open thou : if such loveliness be given To sight here, — what of that which she doth hide ? Only the wondrous ride Of sun and planets through the visible heaven Tells us that there beyond is Paradise. Thus, if thou fix thine eyes, Of a truth certainly thou must infer That every earthly joy abides in her." I look at the large arms, so lithe and round, — At the hands, which are white and rosy too, — At the long fingers, clasped and woven through, Bright with the ring which one of them doth wear. Then my thought whispers : " Were thy body wound Within those arms, as loving women's do. In all thy veins were born a life made new Which thou couldst find no language to declare. Behold if any picture can compare With her just limbs, each fit in shape and size, Or match her angel's color like a pearl. She is a gentle girl To see ; yet when it needs, her scorn can rise. Meek, bashful, and in all things temperate, Her virtue holds its state; In whose least act there is that gift express'd Which of all reverence makes her worthiest." Soft as a peacock steps she, or as a stork Straight on herself, taller and stateher: 'T is a good sight how every limb doth stir For ever in a womanly sweet way. ' Open thy soul to see God's perfect work " (My thought begins afresh), "and look at her When with some ladv-friend exceeding: fair Fazio degli liberti. She bends and mingles arms and locks in play. Even as all lesser lights vanish away, When the sun moves, before his dazzling face, So is this lady brighter than all these. How should she fail to please. — Love's self being no more than her loveliness ? In all her ways some beauty springs to view; All that she loves to do Tends alway to her honor's single scope ; And only from good deeds she draws her hope." Song, thou canst surely say, without pretence, That since the first fair woman ever made, Not one can have displayed More power upon all hearts than this one doth Because in her are both Loveliness and the soul's true excellence : — And yet (woe 's me !) is pity absent thence ? IL Extract from the " Dittamondo." ^ (Lib. IV. Cap. 23.) Of England, and of its Marvels. Now to Great Britain we must make our way, Unto which kingdom Brutus gave its name What time he won it from the giants' rule. 'T is thought at first its name was Albion, And Anglia, from a damsel, afterwards. The island is so great and rich and fair, It conquers others that in Europe be. Even as the sun surpasses other stars. 1 I am quite sorry (after the foregoing love-song, the original of which is not per- haps surpassed by any poem of its class in existence) to endanger the English reader's respect for Fazio by these extracts from the Dittafnondo, or " Song of the World," in which he will find his own country endowed with some astounding properties. How- ever, there are a few fine characteristic sentences, and the rest is no more absurd than other travellers' tales of that day ; while the table of our Norman line of kings is not without some historical interest. It must be remembered that the love-song was the work of Fazio's youth, and the Dittamoiido that of his old age, when we may suppose his powers to have been no longer at their best. Besides what I have given relating to Great Britain, there is a table of the Saxon dynasty, and some surprising facts about Scotland and Ireland; as well as a curious passage written in French, and purporting to be an account, given by a royal courier, of Edward the Third's invasion of France. I felt half disposed to include these, but was afraid of overloading with such matter a selection made chiefly for the sake of poetic beauty. I should mention that the Ditta- mondo, like Dante's great poem, is written in terza rima ; but as perfect literality was of primary importance in the above extracts, I have departed for once from my rule of fidelity to the original metre. Fazio degli liberti. 279 Many and great sheep-pastures bountifully Nature has set there, and herein more bless'd, That they can hold themselves secure from wolves. Jet also doth the hollow land enrich (Whose properties my guide Solinus here Told me, and how its color comes to it); And pearls are found in great abundance too. The people are as white and comely-faced As they of Ethiop land are black and foul. Many hot springs and limpid fountain-heads We found about this land, and spacious plains, And divers beasts that dwell within thick woods. Plentiful orchards too and fertile fields It has, and castle-forts, and cities fair With palaces and girth of lofty walls. And proud wide rivers without any fords We saw, and flesh, and fish, and crops enough. Justice is strong throughout those provinces. Now this I saw not ; but so strange a thing It was to hear, and by all men confirm'd, That it is fit to note it as I heard ; — To wit, there is a certain islet here Among the rest, where folk are born with tails. Short, as are found in stags and such-like beasts. ^ For this I vouch, — that when a child is freed From swaddling bands, the mother without stay Passes elsewhere, and 'scapes the care of it. I put no faith herein ; but it is said Among them, how such marvellous trees are there That they grow birds, and this is their sole fruit."^ Forty times eighty is the circuit ta'en, With ten times fifteen, if I do not err, By our miles reckoning its circumference. Here every metal may be dug ; and here I found the people to be given to God, Steadfast, and strong, and restive to constraint. ' Medieval Britons would seem really to have been credited with this slight pecu- liarity. At the siege of Damietta, Coeur-de- Lion's bastard brother is said to have pointed out the prudence of deferring the assault, and to have received for rejoinder from the French crusaders, " See now these faint-hearted English with the tails! "' To which the Englishman replied, " You will need stout hearts to keep near our tails when the assault is made." 2 This is the Barnacle-tree, often described in old books of travels and natural his- tory, and which Sir Thomas Browne classes gravely among his " Vulgar Errors." 28o Fazio degli Uberti. Nor is this strange, when one considereth ; For courage, beauty, and large-heartedness, Were there, as it is said, in ancient days. North Wales, and Orkney, and the banks of Thames, Strangoure and Listenois and Northumberland, I chose with my companion to behold.^ We went to London, and I saw the Tower Where Guenevere her honor did defend. With the Thames river which runs close to it. I saw the castle which by force was ta'en With the three shields by gallant Lancelot, The second year that he did deeds of arms. I beheld Camelot despoiled and waste ; And was where one and the other had her birth, The maids of Corbonek and Astolat. Also I saw the castle where Geraint Lay with his Enid ; likewise Merlin's stone, Which for another's love I joyed to see. I found the tract where is the pine-tree well. And where of old the knight of the black shield With weeping and with laughter kept the pass, What time the pitiless and bitter dwarf Before Sir Gawaine's eyes discourteously With many heavy stripes led him away. I saw the valley which Sir Tristram won When having slain the giant hand to hand He set the stranger knights from prison free. And last I viewed the field, at Salisbury, Of that great martyrdom which left the world Empty of honor, valor, and delight. So, compassing that Island round and round, I saw and hearkened many things and more Which might be fair to tell but which I hide. ^ What follows relates to the Romances of the Round Table. The only allusion here which I cannot trace to the 3Iort d '' A rihur i^ one where " Rech " and " Nida " are spoken of : it seems however that, by a perversion hardly too corrupt for Fazio, these might be the Geraint and Enid whose story occurs in the Mabifiogto7t, and has been used by Tennyson in his Idylls of the Kifig. Why Fazio should have " joyed to see " Merlin's stone " for another's love " seems inscrutable ; unless indeed the words "per atnor altrui " are a mere idiom, and Merlin himself is meant ; and even then Merlin, in his compulsory niche under the stone, may hardly have been grateful for such friendly interest. I should not omit, in this second edition, to acknowledge several obligations, as re- gards the above extract from the Dittamondo, to the unknown author of an acute and kindly article in the Spectator for January i8, 1862. Fazio degli U berti. 281 III. Extract from the " Dittamondo." (Lib. IV. Cap. 25.) 'Of the Dukes of Nortnandy^ and thence of the Kings of England^ from William the First to Edward the Third. Thou well hast heard that Rollo had two sons, One William Longsword, and the other Richard, Whom thou now know'st to the marrow, as I do.^ Daring and watchful, as a leopard is, Was William, fair in body and in face, Ready at all times, never slow to act. He fought great battles, but at last was slain By the earl of Flanders ; so that in his place Richard his son was o'er the people set. And next in order, lit with blessed flame Of the Holy Spirit, his son followed him Who justly lived 'twixt more and less midway, — His father's likeness, as in shape in name. So unto him succeeded as his heir Robert the Frank, high-counselled and august : And thereon following, I proceed to tell How William, who was Robert's son, did make The realm of England his co-heritage. The same was brave and courteous certainly, Generous and gracious, humble before God, Master in war and versed in counsel too. He with great following came from Normandy And fought with Harold, and so left him slain, And took the realm, and held it at his will. Thus did this kingdom change its signiory ; And know that all the kings it since has had Only from this man take their origin. Therefore, that thou mayst quite forget its past, I say this happened when, since our Lord's Love, Some thousand years and sixty were gone by. While the fourth Henry ruled as emperor, This king of England fought in many wars. And waxed through all in honor and account. ' The speaker here is the poet's guide Solinus (a historical and gec.graphical writer of the third century), who bears the same relation to him which Virgil bears to Dante in the Commedia. '.82 Fazio degli liberti. And William Rufus next succeeded him ; Tall, strong, and comely-limbed, but therewith proud And grasping, and a killer of his kind. In body he was like his father much. But was in nature more his contrary Than fire and water when they come together ; Yet so far good that he won fame in arms, And by himself risked many an enterprise, All which he brought with honor to an end. Also if he were bad, he gat great ill : For, chasing once the deer within a wood, And having wandered from his company, Him by mischance a servant of his own Hit with an arrow, that he fell and died. And after him Henry the First was king. His brother, but therewith the father's like, Being well with God and just in peace and war. Next Stephen, on his death, the kingdom seized, But with sore strife ; of whom thus much be said, That he was frank and good is told of him. And after him another Henry reigned. Who, when the war in France was waged and done, Passed beyond seas with the first Frederick. Then Richard came, who, after heavy toil At sea, was captive made in Germany, Leaving the Sepulchre to join his host. Who being dead, full heavy was the wrath Of John his brother ; and so well he took Revenge, that still a moan is made of it. This John in kingly largesse and in war Delighted, when the kingdom fell to him ; Hunting and riding ever in hot haste. Handsome in body and most poor in heart, Henry his son and heir succeeded him, Of whom to speak I count it wretchedness. Yet there 's some good to say of him, I grant : Because of him was the good Edward born. Whose valor still is famous in the world. The same was he who, being without dread Of the Old Man's Assassins, captured them, And who repaid the jester if he lied.^ The same was he who over seas wrought scathe So many times to Malekdar, and bent Unto the Christian rule whole provinces. ^ This may either refer to some special incident or merely mean generally that he would not suffer lying even in a jester. Fazio degli liberti. 283 He was a giant of his body, and great And proud to view, and of such strength of soul As never saddens with adversity. His reign was long ; and when his death befell, The second Edward mounted to the throne, Who was of one kind with his grandfather. I say from what report still says of him, That he was evil, of base intellect, And would not be advised by any man. Conceive, good heart ! that how to thatch a roof With straw, — conceive ! — he held himself expert, And therein constantly would take delight ! By fraud he seized the Earl of Lancaster, And what he did with him I say not here, But that he left him neither town nor tower. And thiswise, step by step, thou mayst perceive That I to the third Edward have advanced, Who now lives strong and full of enterprise. And who already has grown manifest For the best Christian known of in the world. Thus I have told, as thou wouldst have me tell, The race of William even unto the end. 284 Franco Sacchetti. FRANCO SACCHETTI. Ballata. His Talk with certain Peasant-girls. "Ye graceful peasant-girls and mountain-maids, Whence come ye homeward through these evening shades ? " We come from where the forest skirts the hill ; A very little cottage is our home, Where with our father and our mother still We live, and love our life, nor wish to roam. Back every evening from the field we come And bring with us our sheep from pasturing there." " Where, tell me, is the hamlet of your birth, Whose fruitage is the sweetest by so much ? Ye seem to me as creatures worship-worth, The shining of your countenance is such. No gold about your clothes, coarse to the touch. Nor silver; yet with such an angel's air ! " I think your beauties might make great complaint Of being thus shown over mount and dell ; Because no city is so excellent But that your stay therein were honorable. In very truth, now, does it like ye well To live so poorly on the hill-side here ? " " Better it liketh one of us, pardie, Behind her flock to seek the pasture -stance, Far better than it liketh one of ye To ride unto your curtained rooms and dance. We seek no riches neither golden chance Save wealth of flowers to weave into our hair." Franco Sacchetti. 285 Ballad, if I were now as once I was, I 'd make myself a shepherd on some hill, And, without telling any one, would pass Where these girls went, and follow at their will ; And " Mary " and " Martin " we would murmur still, And I would be for ever where they were. IL Catch. On a Fine Day. " Be stirring, girls ! we ought to have a run : Look, did you ever see so fine a day ? Fling spindles right away, And rocks and reels and wools : Now don't be fools, — To-day your spinning 's done. Up with you, up with you ! " So, one by one, They caught hands, catch who can. Then singing, singing, to the river they ran, They ran, they ran To the river, the river ; And the merry-go-round Carries them at a bound ■ To the mill o'er the river. " Miller, miller, miller. Weigh me this lady And this other. Now, steady ! " " You weigh a hundred, you, And this one weighs two." " Why, dear, you do get stout ! " " You think so, dear, no doubt : Are you in a decline ? " " Keep your temper, and I '11 keep mine." " Come, girls," (" O thank you, miller ! ") " We '11 go home when you will." So, as we crossed the hill, A clown came in great grief Crying, " Stop thief ! stop thief ! what a wretch I am ! " " Well, fellow, here 's a clatter ! Well, what 's the matter? " " O Lord, O Lord, the wolf has got my lamb ! " Now at that word of woe. The beauties came and clung about me so That if wolf had but shown himself, maybe 1 too had caught a lamb that fled to me. 286 Franco Sacchetti. III. Catch. On a Wet Day. As I walked thinking through a little grove, Some girls that gathered flowers came passing me, Saying, " Look here ! look there ! " delightedly. '' O here it is ! " " What 's that ?" "A lily, love." " And there are violets ! " " Further for roses ! Oh the lovely pets — The darling beauties ! Oh the nasty thorn ! Look here, my hand 's all torn ! " " What 's that that jumps?" " Oh don't ! it's a grasshopper!' " Come run, come run, Heje 's bluebells ! " " Oh what fun ! " " Not that way ! Stop her ! " *' Yes, this way ! " " Pluck them, then ! " " Oh, I 've found mushrooms ! Oh look here ! " " Oh, I 'm Quite sure that further on we '11 get wild thyme." " Oh we shall stay too long, it 's going to rain ! There 's lightning, oh there 's thunder ! " " Oh shan't we hear the vesper-bell, I wonder?" " Why, it 's not nones, you silly little thing; And don't you hear the nightingales that sing Fly away O die away ? " " O I hear something ! Hush ! " "Why, where ? what is it then ? " " Ah ! in that bush ! " So every girl here knocks it, shakes and shocks it, Till with the stir they make Out skurries a great snake. " O Lord ! O me ! Alack ! Ah me ! alack ! " They scream, and then all run and scream again, And' then in heavy drops down comes the rain. Each running at the other in a fright. Each trying to get before the other, and crying. And flying, stumbling, tumbling, wrong or right ; One sets her knee There where her foot should be ; One has her hands and dress All smothered up with mud in a fine mess ; And one gets trampled on by two or three. What 's gathered is let fall About the wood and not picked up at all. Franco Sacchetti. 287 The wreaths of flowers are scattered on the ground ; And still as screaming hustling without rest They run this way and that and round and round, She thinks herself in luck who runs the best. I stood quite still to have a perfect view And never noticed till I got wet through. 288 Anonymous Poems. ANONYMOUS POEMS. I. Sonnet. A Lady laments for her lost Lover., by similitude of a Falcon. Alas for me, who loved a falcon well ! So well I loved him, I was nearly dead : Ever at my low call he bent his head. And ate of mine, not much, but all that fell. Now he has tied, how high I cannot tell, Much higher now than ever he has fled, And is in a fair garden housed and fed ; Another lady, alas ! shall love him well. my own falcon whom I taught and rear'd ! Sweet bells of shining gold I gave to thee That in the chase thou shouldst not be afeard. Now thou hast risen like the risen sea. Broken thy jesses loose, and disappeared, As soon as thou wast skilled in falconry. II. Ballata. Otte speaks of the Begimiing of his Love. This fairest one of all the stars, whose flame, For ever lit, my inner spirit fills, Came to me first one day between the hills. 1 wondered very much ; but God the Lord Said, " From Our Virtue, lo ! this light is pour'd." So in a dream it seemed that I was led By a great Master to a garden spread With lilies underfoot and overhead. Anonymotts Poems. 289 III. Ballata. One speaks of his False Lady. When the last grayness dwells throughout the air And the first star appears, Appeared to me a lady very fair. I seemed to know her well by her sweet air ; And, gazing, I was hers. To honor her, I followed her : and then . . . Ah ! what thou givest, God give thee again, Whenever thou remain'st as I remain. IV. Ballata. One speaks of his Feigned and Real Love. For no love borne by me, Neither because I care To find that thou art fair, — To give another pain I gaze on thee. And now, lest such as thought that thou couldst move My heart, should read this verse, I will say here, another has my love. An angel of the spheres She seems, and I am hers ; Who has more gentleness And owns a fairer face Than any woman else, — at least, to me. Sweeter than any, more in all at ease, Lighter and lovelier. Not to disparage thee ; for whoso sees May like thee more than her. This vest will one prefer And one another vest. To me she seems the best, And I am hers, and let what will be, be. For no love borne by me, Neither because I care To find that thou art fair, — To give another pain, I gaze on thee. 19 ►90 Aìioiiyuioiis Poems. V. Ballata. Of True and False Singing. A LITTLE wild bird sometimes at my ear Sings his own verses very clear : Others sing louder that I do not hear. For singing loudly is not singing well ; But ever by the song that 's soft and low The master-singer's voice is plain to tell. Few have it and yet all are masters now, And each of them can trill out what he calls His ballads, canzonets, and madrigals. The world with masters is so covered o'er, There is no room for pupils any more. INDEX OF FIRST LINES, [ENGLISH AND ITALIAN.) PAGE A CERTAIN youthful lady in Thoulouse Una giovine donna di Tolosa 94 A day agone as I rode sullenly Cavalcando r al trier per tin cammino 33 A fresh content of fresh enamouring Novella gioia e nova innamoranza 268 A gentle thought there is will often start Gentil pensiero che parla di vui 73 A lady in whom love is manifest La bella donna dove Amor si mostra 104 Alas for me who loved a falcon well Tapina me che amava tino sparviero 28S Albeit my prayers have not so long delay'd Avvegna ched io m' aggio più per tempo 119 A little wild bird sometimes at my ear Aicgelletto selvaggio per stagione 290 All my thoughts always speak to me of Love Tutti li miei pensier parlan d'' Amore 38 All the whole world is living without war Tutto lo mondo vive senza guerra 180 Ali ye that pass along Love's trodden way O voi che per la via d'' amor passate 30 Along the road all shapes must travel by Per quella via che I' altre /orme vanno 149 A man should hold in very dear esteem Ogni tiomo deve assai caro tenere 23 1 Among my thoughts I count it wonderful Ptire a pensar mi par gran meraviglia 191 Among the dancers I beheld her dance Alia danza la vidi danzare 264 Among the faults we in that book descry hifra gli altri difetti del libello 126 292 Index of First Lines. PAGE And every Wednesday as the swift days move Ogni Mercoledì corredo grande 246 And in September O what keen delight Di Settembre vi do diletti tanti 243 And now take thought my Sonnet who is he Sonetto mio, anda 0' lo divisi 244 And on the morrow at first peep o' the day Alia domane al parere del giorno 248 As I walked thinking through a little grove Passando con pensier per tin boschetto 286 As thou wert loath to see before thy feet Se non ti caggia la tua Santalena 140 A spirit of Love with Love's intelligence Ispirilo d Amor con intelletto 266 A thing is in my mind Venuto m' è in talento 195 At whiles yea oftentimes I muse over Spesse fiate venemi alla niente 42 A very pitiful lady very young Donna pietosa e di novella etate 53 Ay me alas the beautiful bright hair Ohimè lasso quelle treccie bionde 124 Ballad since Love himself hath fashioned thee Ballata poi che ti co7npose Amore 144 Beauty in woman the high will's decree Beltà di donna e di saccente core 91 Because I find not whom to speak withal Poich' io non trovo chi meco ragioni 86 Because I think not ever to return Perch" io 7ion spero di tornar giammai 108 Because mine eyes can never have their fill Poiché saziar non posso gli occhi miei 81 Because ye made your backs your shields it came Guelfi per fare scudo delle reni 237 Being in thought of love I chanced to see Era in pensier d' amor quand'' io trovai 94 Be stirring girls we ought to have a run State su donate che debbiam noi fare 285 Beyond the sphere which spreads to widest space Oltre la spera che piti larga gira 77 By a clear well within a little field Intorno ad una fonte in un pratello 162 By the long sojourning Per lunga dimoranza 227 Canst thou indeed be he that still would sing Sei tu colui eh' hai trattato sovente 5° Index of First Lines. 293 PAGE Dante Alighieri a dark oracle Dante Alighieri son Minerva oscttra i6o Dante Alighieri Cecco your good friend Dante Alighier Cecco tno servo e amico 130 Dante Alighieri if I jest and lie Dante Alighier j' io son buon begolardo 141 Dante Alighieri in Becchina's praise Lassar vuol lo trovare di Becchina 135 Dante a sigh that rose from the heart's core Dante nn sospiro messagger del core 97 Dante if thou within the sphere of Love Datile se tu neW amorosa spera 161 Dante since I from my own native place Poich^ io fui Dante dal mio natal sito 86 Dante whenever this thing happeneth Dante quando per caso s* abbandona 121 Death alway cruel Pity's foe in chief Morte villana di Pietà nemica 31 Death since I find not one with whom to grieve Morte poich' io nan trovo a cui mi doglia Zt^ Death why hast thou made life so hard to bear Morte perchè m^ hai fatto si grail guerra 215 Do not conceive that I shall here recount Non intendiate eh' io qui le vi dica 270 Each lover's longing leads him naturally N'aturalmente chere ogni aiuadore 118 Even as the day when it is yet at dawning Come lo giorno quatido è al mattino 259 Even as the moon among the stars doth shed Come le stelle sopra la Diana 265 Even as the others mock thou mockest me Con r altre donne mia vista gabbate 40 Fair sir this love of ours Messer lo nostro amore 219 Flowers hast thou in thyself and foliage Avete Ì7i voi li fiori e la verdura 91 For a thing done repentance is no good A cosa fatta già non vai pentire 137 For August be your dwelling thirty towers D"" Agosto SI vi do t retila castella 242 For certain he hath seen all perfectness Vede perfettamente ogni salute 61 For grief I am about to sing Di dolor ?ni conviene cantare 184 For January I give you vests of skins Io dotto vai nel mese di Gennaio 239 !94 Index of First Lines. PAGE For July in Siena by the willow-tree Di Luglio in Siena sulla saliciata 242 For no love borne by me No7t per ben ch^ io ti voglia 289 For Thursday be the tournament prepared Ed ogni Gioved ì torìiiamento 247 Friend well I know thou knowest well to bear Amico saccio ben che sai lijna7'e 102 Glory to God and to God's Mother chaste Lode di Dio e della Madre pura 150 Gramercy Death as you 've my love to win Alerte mercè sì ti priego e in" è in grato 139 Guido an image of my lady dwells Una figura della donna mia 93 Guido I wish that Lapo thou and I Guido vorrei che tu e Lapo ed io 96 Guido that Gianni who a day agone Guido quel Gianni che a te fu l' altrieri 102 Hard is it for a man to please all men Gi'eve puof uom piacere a tutta gente 193 He that has grown to wisdom hurries not Uo7no ch' è saggio non corre leggiero 190 Her face has made my life most proud and glad Lo viso mi fa andare allegramente 204 I am afar but near thee is my heart Lontan vi son ma presso v'' è lo core 257 I am all bent to glean the golden ore Io mi son dato tutto a tr agger oro 121 I am enamoured and yet not so much Io sono innamorato ma non tanto 131 I am so passing rich in poverty Eo son si ricco della povertate 218 I am so out of love through poverty La povertà m* ha sì disamorato 138 I come to thee by daytime constantly Io vegeto il giorno a te infittite volte 105 I felt a spirit of love begin to stir Io mi sentii svegliar dentro dal core 56 If any his own foolishness might see Chi conoscesse si la sua fallanza 209 If any man would know the very cause Se alcun volesse la cagion savere 192 If any one had anything to say Chi Messer Ugolin biasma riprende 262 If as thou say'st thy love tormented thee Se vi stringesse quanto dite amore 234 Index of First Lines. 295 PAGE If Dante mourns there wheresoe'er he be Se Dante piaìige dove ch^ el si sia i6o If l 'd a sack of florins and all new S^ io avessi tin sacco di fiorini 133 If I entreat this lady that all grace S' io prego questa donna che pietate 100 If I were fire I 'd burn the world away S'' io fossi foco arderei lo mondo 136 If I were still that man worthy to love S"* io fossi quello che d'' amor fit degno 97 If thou hadst offered friend to blessed Mary Se avessi detto amico di Maria 93 If you could see fair brother how dead beat Fratel se tu vedessi questa gente 269 I give you horses for your games in May Di Maggio sì vi do molti cavagli 241 I give you meadow-lands in April fair D' Aprile vi do la gentil campagna "241 I have it in my heart to serve God so Io m!* aggio posto in core a Dio servire 199 I hold him verily of mean emprise Tegno di folle impresa allo ver dire 189 I know not Dante in what refuge dwells Dante io non odo in qtial albergo suoni 87 I labored these six years Sei anni ho travagliato 208 I look at the crisp golden-threaded hair Io miro i crespi e gli biondi capegli 276 l 'm caught like any thrush the nets surprise Babbo Becchina Amore e mia madre 135 l 'm full of everything I do not want Io ho tiitte le cose ch^ io non voglio 133 . In February I give you gallant sport Di Febbraio vi dono bella caccia 240 In March I give you plenteous fisheries Di Marzo sì vi do zma peschiera 240 In June I give you a close-wooded fell Di Giugno dovvi una tnontagnetta 241 I play this sweet prelude Dolce cominciamento 255 I pray thee Dante shouldst thou meet with Love Se vedi Amore assai ti prego Dante 98 I thought to be for ever separate Io mi credea del tutto esser partito 85 l 've jolliest merriment for Saturday E il Sabato diletto ed allegranza 248 296 Index of First Lines. PAGE I was upon the high and blessed mound Io fui in siiir alto e in sill beato ino7ite 123 I would like better in the grace to be Io vorrei innanzi in grazia ritornare 139 Just look Manette at that wry-mouthed minx Guarda Manetta quella sgrignutiizza 107 Ladies that have intelligence in Love Donile che avete intelletto d' Arnore 44 Lad}' my wedded thought La mia amorosa niente 222 Lady of Heaven the Mother glorified Donna del cielo gloriosa 77iadre 217 Lady with all the pains that I can take Donna io forzeraggio lo podere 253 Last All-Saints' holy-day even now gone by Di donne io vidi nna gentile schiera 79 Last for December houses on the plain E di Dicembre una città in piano 244 Let baths and wine-butts be November's due E di A'^ovembre petriulo e il bagno 243 Let Friday be your highest hunting-tide Ed ogni Venerdì gran caccia e forte 247 Let not the inhabitants of hell despair Non si disperin quelli dello Inferno 140 Lo I am she who makes the wheel to turn Io son la donna che volgo la rota 109 Love and the gentle heart are one same thing Amore e cor gentil son una cosa 47 Love and the Lady Lagia Guido and I Amore e Monna Lagia e Guido ed io 98 Love hath so long possessed me for his own Sì lungamente tn' ha tenuto Amore 61 Love I demand to have my lady in fee Amore io chero mia donna in domino 143 Love's pallor and the semblance of deep ruth Color d' amore e di pietà sembianti 70 Love since it is thy will that I return Perchè ti piace Amore eh' io ritorni 81 Love steered my course while yet the Sun rode high Guidommi Amor ardendo ancora il Sole 161 Love taking leave my heart then leaveth me Amor s' eo pai'to il cor si parte e dole 235 Love will not have me cry Ainor non vuol ch' io clami 201 Many there are praisers of poverty Molti son quei che lodaji poz'ertade 147 y